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Branches of Physics are the subjects that come within the wider scope of Physics. This topic aims to impart theoretical and practical knowledge among the students of Physics. Branches of Physics involve the wider explanation of the concepts like matter, motion, gravity and so on. These basic concepts remain a part of a student’s education at almost every stage if a person pursues the field of Physics.
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Key Terms: Motion, Gravity, Matter, Thermodynamics, Electromagnet, Optics, Classical Physics, Modern Physics
What is Physics?
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Physics is a branch of natural sciences. This branch mainly deals with the concepts that are related to motion, gravity, space, energy, time, etc. The scholars who are interested in such studies are termed as physicists.
The study of physics and its branches depends upon a set of principles that the theorists have already established. Such principles tend to frame the central theory or the actual formula which helps in understanding various emerging concepts in science.
Topics Covered Under Physics
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Physics deals with multiple forms of study of matter, energy, motion, gravity, etc. The table below has enlisted some of these sub-topics covered under the more comprehensive and larger scope of Physics.
Physics has multiple domains within itself to deal with the vast emerging discoveries and innovations. It is a diverse field that has ultimately contributed to developing the multiple branches of physics.
Branches of Physics
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Generally, physics deals with multiple theories, and its major discoveries had begun with the innovations taken up by Einstein and Newton. Broadly, Physics is divided into two branches, Classical Physics and Modern Physics.
- Classical Physics is generally considered as the studies up to 1900 AD while the contemporary twentieth and twenty-first-century Physics is called Modern Physics.
- Both types have their own classifications with multiple sub-branches.
- Classical physics includes mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, heat, etc.
- Modern physics includes atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum physics, etc.
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Detailed View of Branches of Physics
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The branches of Physics are diverse due to the emerging discoveries which ultimately make physics as a vast subject to study. Let us see some of the main branches of Physics that are dealing with the emerging challenges.
Mechanics
Mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the motion of an object not necessarily in the context of force. As per the general rule, mechanics can be further divided into two main branches i.e. quantum mechanics and classical mechanics.
Quantum Mechanics deals with the concepts related to the smallest particles like protons, neutrons, and electrons while classical mechanics is considered as the branch which mainly deals with the studies related to laws of motion of forces and physical objects.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is another most important branch of physics which deals with the study of heat and its relation with work and energy.
It also includes studies related to the transmission of heat energy by the means of convection, conduction and radiation.
Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism usually deals with the study of electromagnetic forces like electric fields, light, magnetic fields, etc.
Electromagnetism
This branch of Physics also appears as an important part of the syllabus in secondary and senior secondary levels.
Optics
Optics is a branch of physics that tends to deal with the understanding, working, propagation, and properties of light. It could be simply described as the study and the analysis of infrared light, visible light, and ultraviolet rays.
Acoustic
Acoustic is another branch of physics that deals with the study of sound and its transmission and production. This branch is largely considered with the understanding of the impacts of the sounds. It mainly involves the mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids which includes vibration, sound, ultrasound, and infrasound.
Relativity
Relativity is the branch of physics that deals with the theorem formulated by Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein gave the theory of relativity. The theory of relativity states that space and time are relative and all the motion that occurs in this universe are relative to a frame of reference.
Physics is taught to the students to make them aware of the innovative and newly discoverable concepts along with the well-established proven facts. Eventually, it has also helped human beings in understanding the philosophical side of life by successfully interpreting many mysteries of the world. Its various branches provide a vast coverage to worldly ideas and activities and help in understanding and analyzing those concepts.
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Previous Year Questions
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- Earth is revolving around the sun …
- Imagine a new planet having the same density …
- A planet in a distant solar system is 10 times more massive …
- The speed of earth’s rotation about its axis is …
- At what height above the …
- Which of the following is true for rays coming from infinity? [DUET 2006]
- A point source of light S, placed at a distance L in front of the centre of a plane mirror … [DUET 2000]
- A girl of height 150 cm with her eye level at 140cm … [KCET 2019]
- A given ray of light suffers minimum deviation in an equilateral prism … [NEET 2001]
- A biconvex lens has a radius of curvature of magnitude 20 cm. Which one of the … [NEET 2011]
Things to Remember
- Physics is a branch of natural sciences that deals with the concepts that are related to motion, gravity, space, energy, time, etc.
- Physics is divided into two branches: Classical Physics and Modern Physics.
- Mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the motion of an object.
- Thermodynamics is another most important branch of physics that deals with the study of heat and its relation to work and energy.
- Electromagnetism deals with the study of electromagnetic forces like electric fields, light, magnetic fields, etc.
- The understanding, working, propagation, and properties of light are known as Optics.
- Acoustic is another branch of physics that deals with the study of sound and its transmission and production.
Sample Questions
Ques: What do you understand by Cosmology? (1 Mark)
Ans: Cosmology is also considered as a branch of Physics that deals with the study of formation, structure, and the impacts of major celestial objects in the universe.
Ques: Who had given the theory of relativity and when? (1 Mark)
Ans: Albert Einstein had given the theory of relativity in 1915. This theory is majorly concerned with the understanding of gravitation.
Ques: Who was known as the first physicist? (1 Mark)
Ans: Thales had given the concept of physic at first and his theories had helped in naming the discipline as well.
Ques: Name a few branches of physics. (2 Marks)
Ans: Physics is the study of motion, gravity, space, energy, time, etc. which has multiple branches such as thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, heat and energy, waves and tides, motor and currents, relativity, motion and momentum, etc.
Ques: What is Physics? Define major branches of physics. (2 Marks)
Ans: Physics is a branch of science that deals with the fundamental constituents of the universe and matter. It is the study of motion, gravity, space, energy, time, etc. Physics is majorly divided into two branches- Classical Physics and Modern Physics.
- Classical Physics: Classical Physics is generally considered in the studies up to 1900 AD. It includes mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, heat, etc.
- Modern Physics: The contemporary twentieth and twenty-first-century Physics is called Modern Physics. It includes atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum physics, etc.
Ques: What do you understand by the concept or the branch of physics known as Mesoscopic Physics? (2 Marks)
Ans: Mesoscopic Physics is an extended branch of Physics. This branch is mainly considered with the study of the materials of an intermediate length in a sub-discipline condensed matter. However, the scale of these materials lies between the nanoscale size of atoms, such as a molecule and materials measuring micrometres.
Ques: Name the six branches of Physics. (2 Marks)
Ans: The major six branches of physics are:
- Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Electromagnetism
- Optics
- Acoustics
- Relativity
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