Scope and excitement of physics, Physics technology and society, FAQs

Scope of the physics can be understood by having an insight into the two domains of interest i.e. macroscopic and microscopic

Table of contents:

Domains of interest
- Macroscopic
  - Mechanics
  - Electrodynamics
  - Optics
  - Thermodynamics
- Microscopic
Excitement for Physics
Physics, technology and society

Macroscopic phenomena are mainly dealt using Classic Physics that mainly comprise of the following subjects:

Mechanics
- Isaac Newton was the first to formally develop a theory of mechanics, using his “Three Laws” to describe the behavior of objects in our everyday experience
- Mechanics is further classified as shown.

Electrodynamics

Deals with electric and magnetic phenomena associated with charged and magnetic bodies.
- Coulomb, Oersted, Ampere and Faraday gave the basic laws that were later encapsulated by Maxwell in his famous set of equations.

Optics

Deals with the light propagation, the changes that it undergoes and produces, and other phenomena closely associated with it.
- Optics can be further classified as shown:

Thermodynamics

Deals with the energy and work of a system.
- There are three principal laws of thermodynamics. That ultimately gives definition of thermodynamic properties which further aids to understand and predict the operation of a physical system.

Microscopic domain deals with the constitution and structure of matter at the minute scales of atoms and nuclei (and even lower scales of length) and their interaction with different elementary particles such as electrons, photons etc.

For explaining microscopic phenomena, Quantum Theory is currently accepted as the proper framework.
To incorporate Einstein’s conclusion that light is made of particles (or rather, quantized lumps of energy called quanta) and describe nature at the smallest scales, quantum mechanics was developed in the 1920s

Excitement for Physics

The excitement for Physics can stem from the fact that one can study a large range of phenomena using some basic laws and theories.

Making use of the physical laws to design and construct devices that can make day-to-day life easier is one of the most exciting parts.

People living six hundred years ago were not aware that there will exist a device that can tell the position of any planet or constellation or such celestial bodies in seconds, should you wish to look for them? We are talking about Sky Maps of course. All this has been achieved only because of the people who were inquisitive enough to know why everything exists the way it does.

The astounding progress in the field of physics is escorted by the continuous change in basic perceptions. It's not just qualitative thinking that drives the scientific advancement but also the quantitative measurement since the basic laws of physics are universal and expressible in

precise mathematical equations.

Physics, technology and society

We have grown to depend on the enhancement of technology available to us, for the improvement and advancement of society. We have to depend on the sciences, particularly the physics of it all, for the enhancement of technology.

The future technological advances that will continue to drive the economic engines of the world requires fundamental knowledge that is being generated by physics.

Only by importing techniques developed during experimentation in physics labs, many of the greatest inventions in modern medicine were possible. Some of these techniques have revolutionized healthcare technologies for imaging the human body and treating dreaded diseases like cancer.
Astrobiologists talk competently about the elements that may be present in different parts of the solar system by understanding the composition of stars and planets and how they form. As a result of discoveries in physics, we can communicate with the astronauts using different technologies.
Physics has laid the foundation for numerous transforming technologies over the past 200 years, from electricity and transport to computers and the internet. Society will increasingly depend on physics to understand and solve its problems, related to the need to develop cleaner energy and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change

Since physics deals with the actions and interactions of all existence in the conceivable universe, it is considered “fundamental” following which the studies of other aspects come into play. Physics also has also played a key role in the development of the other sciences.

FAQ

Q1. Theory of Gravitation was given by

a )Isaac Newton
b) Galileo
c) Albert Einstein
d) Rutherford

Ans: a)

Sir Issac Newton is known to have given the Theory of Gravitation..

Q2. Microscopic domain deals with:

a) Celestial objects
b) Objects you see in everyday life
c) at the scales of elementary particles
d) none of these

Ans: c)

Microscopic domain deals with the constitution and structure of matter at the minute scales of atoms and nuclei (and even lower scales of length) and their interaction with different elementary particles such as electrons, photons etc.

Q3. Who is the Father of Modern Physics?
A ) Isaac Newton
b) Galileo
c) Albert Einstein
d) Rutherford

Ans: c)

Albert Einstein is considered as the Father of Modern Physics.

Q4. Who is the Father of Observational Physics?

a. Isaac Newton
b) Galileo
c) Albert Einstein
d) Rutherford

Ans: b)

Galileo is considered as the Father of observational Physics.