"Outline of Physics" Book I, Chapter 1, including section review questions.

Essay by xsunkisseddreamxUniversity, Master'sA+, October 2005

download word file, 5 pages 1.7

Chapter 1: The Science of Physics (Page 3 - 37)

1-1 What is Physics?

The Topics of Physics.

-Physics is simply the study of the physical world.

- Goal of physics is to use a small number of basic concepts, equations, and assumptions to describe the physical world.

Physics is Everywhere:

Areas within Physics (Name / Subjects / Examples)

- Mechanics - Motion and its causes - Falling Objects, Friction, Weight, Spinning Objects

- Thermodynamics - Heat and temperature - Melting and freezing processes, engines, refrigerators

- Vibrations and Wave Phenomena - Specific types of repetitive motions - Springs, pendulums, sound

- Optics - light - Mirrors, lenses, color, astronomy

- Electromagnetism - electricity, magnetism, and light - Electrical charge, circuitry, permanent magnets, electromagnets

- Relativity - Particles moving at any speed, including very high speeds - particle collisions, particle accelerators, nuclear energy

- Quantum mechanics - behavior of submicroscopic particles - the atom and its parts

The Scientific Method.

Scientific Method Steps:

- Make observations and collect data that lead to a question.

- Formulate and objectively test hypotheses by experiments.

- Interpret results, and revise the hypothesis if necessary.

- State conclusions in a form that can be evaluated by others.

Physics uses models that describe only part of reality.

- Physicists use models to explain the most fundamental features of various phenomena.

- Usually impossible to describe all aspects of a phenomenon at the same time.

- Break into different parts to determine which to analyze/disregard.

- 1st step: Decide what to study (system)

- System: A set of items or interactions considered a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study.

- A single object and the items that immediately affect it are the focus of attention.

- A model can be summarized with a diagram,