Physics, scientific methods, principle thrusts in physics, FAQs

What is Science?

Science is a methodical effort to extrapolate the natural phenomena in as much natural phenomena in depth, and use the understanding so acquired to predict, modify and control phenomena. make predictions, modifications and control phenomenon.

Table of contents:

Broad classification of science
Scientific Method
Physics
Principal thrusts in Physics
- Unification
- Reductionism
FAQ

Broad classification of science:

Physical Science: Further classified as:

Physics
Chemistry
Astronomy

Life Science: Further classified as:

Biology
Botany
Zoology
Genetic Science
Medicine

Earth Science: Further classified as:

Geology
Ecology
Oceanology
Meteorology
Paleontology

Scientific Method

The scientific method is a process for accumulating data and refining information. The scientific knowledge is gathered through a logical, rational problem-solving method, and is standardized through well defined steps provided by the Scientific Method.

Several interconnected steps involved in scientific method are :

Systematic observations
controlled experiments
qualitative and quantitative reasoning
mathematical modeling
prediction and verification or falsification of theories

Scientists use models and experimental conclusions to fabricate the explanations of observations or design solutions to the problems.

For example, to make a vehicle more fuel efficient one way is to decrease the drag caused due to air. This could be done by designing the body of the vehicle aerodynamically. For the designing purpose, engineers usually take help of computer simulations. Based on the results obtained from the simulations, the design can be altered so that the vehicle offers less drag and thus increases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Physics

Physics is the branch of science which is directed at describing the fundamental aspects of our universe. at explaining the fundamental aspects of the universe we live in.

The purpose is to see the physical world as an abstract of some universal laws in dissimilar domains and conditions.

For example,

The motion of the moon around the earth and the motion of planets around the

The Sun can be described by the same Newton law of gravitation that describes the falling of an apple to the ground.

Consider a GPS that we use in our everyday life. The relationship between the speed of an object, the distance over which it travels, and the time taken to travel that distance can be described using physics. A GPS device utilizes these physics relationships to determine the travel time from one location to another. Consider a GPS that we use in our life day to day. The relationship between the speed of a body, the distance over which it travels, and the time taken by it to travel that distance can be described using physics. A GPS device utilizes all these physics relationships to determine the travel time from one place to another.

Principal thrusts in physics:

1. Unification: An act of integrating several laws valid for different phenomena into a single theory that explains all the different phenomenons. We might discover a few phenomenons separately which later can be linked together by a single theory. At that moment the concept of unification is required.

Example:

The unification of terrestrial and celestial phenomena is done with the help of Newtonian physics by providing simple principles that apply to both domains.
All the electric and magnetic phenomena are governed by the basic laws of electromagnetism (Maxwell’s equations).

2. Reductionism: An effort to deduce the attributes of a bigger, more complicated, system from the properties and interactions of its constituent simpler parts.

system from its properties and the interactions that its constituent simpler parts have among themselves.

For Example: We study the concept of temperature in thermodynamics and dependence of quantities like enthalpy on it. But later it was further reduced to the concept of kinetic energy of the particles and molecules.

FAQ

Q1. Choose the best statement from below that describes the necessity of physics in understanding all other sciences.

A. How energy gets passed from one object to another is explained by Physics..
B. Physics explains how gravity works.
C. Motion of objects that can be seen with the naked eye is explained by physics..
D. Physics illustrates the fundamental aspects of the universe.

Ans. D

The fundamental aspects of the universe that are the basis for other sciences, such as chemistry and biology are explained by physics.

Q2. Choose the best option that contains the correct statement about the hypothesis?

A. Scientific experiments must validate the hypothesis.
B. Physical quantities should be excluded from the hypothesis.
C. The hypothesis must be a brief and incisive statement.
D. The hypothesis must be implemented in all the situations in the universe.

Ans. A

A hypothesis is a testable statement that describes how something in the natural world works. A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested, and that describes how something in the natural world works. Scientists test the hypothesis by performing an experiment. During an experiment, the scientists collect data that will help them learn about the phenomenon they are studying. test the hypothesis by performing suitable experiments. During an experiment, the scientists collect data which helps them learn about the phenomenon they are studying about.

Q3. Choose the correct option that contains statement that is not an essential feature of scientific explanations?

A. They must be subject to testing.
B. They strictly pertain to the physical world.
C. Their validity is decided based on objective observations.
D. They can be viewed as a fact, once supported by observation

Ans. B

A key necessity of any scientific explanation of a natural phenomenon is that it must be testable. Also one must be able to conduct an experimental investigation that either supports or invalidates the explanation.

Q4. Explain why scientists sometimes use a model rather than trying to analyze the behavior of the real system.

A. Models are simpler to analyze.
B. Models give more accurate results.
C. Models provide more reliable predictions.
D. Models do not require any computer calculations.

Ans. A

A model is a depiction of something that is often too difficult (or impossible) to study directly. The physical models, equations, computer programs, or simulations - computer graphics/animations

of something which is often very hard to study directly. The physical models, computer programs, equations or simulations - computer graphics/animations

etc are several forms that are taken by the models. For eg. Although we have never seen an atom with our own eyes, we are still able to understand the structure of an atom using models.

visualize the structure of an atom using various models.