Natural Science
NATURAL SCIENCE
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| Natural Science |
Natural science is a branch of science concerned with describing, predicting, and understanding natural phenomena based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Mechanisms such as peer review and repeatability of findings are used to ensure the validity of scientific advances.
Natural science can be divided into two main branches: life science and physical science. Life science is alternatively known as biology, and physical science is subdivided into branches: physics, chemistry, astronomy, and Earth science. These natural science branches may be further divided into more specialized branches (also known as fields). As empirical sciences, natural sciences use tools from the formal sciences, such as mathematics and logic, converting information about nature into measurements which can be explained as clear statements of the "laws of nature".
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Physics
Chemistry
Earth science
Space Science or Astronomy
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Physical science is an encompassing term for natural science branches that study non-living systems, in contrast to the life sciences.
However, the term "physical" creates an unintended, somewhat arbitrary distinction since many physical science branches also study biological phenomena.
There is a difference between physical science and physics.
Physics
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| Physics |
Physics (from Ancient Greek: φύσις, romanized: physis, lit. 'nature') is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime,
along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature conducted to understand how the universe behaves.
Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines, perhaps the oldest through its inclusion of astronomy.
Over the last two millennia, physics was a part of natural philosophy along with chemistry, certain branches of mathematics, and biology,
During the Scientific Revolution in the 16th century, the natural sciences emerged as unique research programs in their own right.
Specific research areas are interdisciplinary, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, which means that physics boundaries are not rigidly defined.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, physicalism emerged as a prominent unifying feature of the philosophy of science as physics provides fundamental explanations for every observed natural phenomenon.
New ideas in physics often explain other sciences' fundamental mechanisms while opening to new research areas in mathematics and philosophy.
Branches Of Physics
Classical Mechanics
This branch of physics studies the motion of macroscopic objects through time and space. Newton's Laws of Motion form the foundation of classical mechanics.
Concepts like velocity, acceleration, projectile motion, force, a moment of inertia, etc., are an integral part of classical mechanics.
Sir Isaac Newton and William Hamilton were the pioneers in the study of classical mechanics.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the study of heat and temperature. It also correlates heat with energy and work, heat, temperature, energy, etc.
They are governed by the Four laws of Thermodynamics. Thermodynamics can be further branched into classical thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, chemical thermodynamics, and equilibrium thermodynamics.
James Clerk Maxwell, Ludwig Boltzmann, Max Planck, Rudolf Clausius, and William Thomson are some of the well-known names in the field of thermodynamics.
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics entails the study of energy levels in atomic and subatomic particles.
Quantum field theory is one of the most essential quantum mechanics principles as it connects it with relativity and classical mechanics.
It is a relatively new branch of physics, with origins dating to the early 1900s. Erwin Schrödinger, Werner Heisenberg, and Max Born are considered pioneers of quantum mechanics.
Electromagnetism
The physical reaction between particles carrying electrical charges can be defined as the electromagnetic force.
The study of electromagnetic force forms the crux of electromagnetism. The electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature.
The other fundamental forces are strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, and gravitational force.
Electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations are essential topics covered in electromagnetism.
André-Marie Ampère and Michael Faraday are considered to be the Fathers of Electromagnetism.
Relativity
The theory of relativity is perhaps the most talked-about concept to have originated from the brilliant mind of Albert Einstein.
Relativity establishes a relation between space and time. It has two postulates:
a. The laws of physics are identical in all inertial systems.
b. The speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers, irrespective of the light source's motion.
The theory of relativity can be mathematically explained as E=mc2, where E is energy, m is the object's mass, and c is the speed of light.
Optics and Optical Physics
Optics involves the study of light, its properties, and how it interacts with different surfaces.
It explains how light acts as a particle as well as a wave. Optical Physics divides light into three categories: visible light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light.
Reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference are some of the topics covered under optical physics.
Condensed Matter Physics
The study of macroscopic and microscopic properties of matter in different condensed phases is called condensed matter physics.
While solid and liquid are the most commonly known condensed phases of matter, superconducting phase, ferromagnetic phase, and antiferromagnetic phase are also discussed in this physics branch.
Condensed matter physics is closely related to chemistry, material science, atomic physics, and nanotechnology.
Particle and Nuclear Physics
Particle physics discusses the nature of particles that constitute matter and radiation.
Nuclear physics entails the study of atomic nuclei and their various properties.
Since both these concepts deal with subatomic particles, they are often clubbed together as a particle and nuclear physics.
Nuclear decay, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, etc., are a few widely read topics in this field of physics.
Cosmology
The study of how the universe was created, how it is expanding, and how it will end falls under the branch of Cosmology.
The theories and philosophies stated in cosmology are primarily based on assumptions and cannot be verified.
The Big Bang Theory is one of the popular topics discussed in modern cosmology. Astrophysicists, metaphysicians, and astronomers often study it.
Chemistry
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| Chemistry |
Chemistry (the etymology of the word has been much disputed) is the science of matter and the changes it undergoes.
The science of matter is also addressed by physics, but while physics takes a more general and fundamental approach, chemistry is more specialized,
being concerned by the composition, behavior (or reaction), structure, and properties of matter and the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.
It is a physical science which studies various substances, atoms, molecules, and matter (especially carbon-based).
Example sub-disciplines of chemistry include biochemistry, the study of substances found in biological organisms; physical chemistry,
the study of chemical processes using physical concepts such as thermodynamics and quantum mechanics; and analytical chemistry,
the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their chemical composition and structure. Many more specialized disciplines have emerged in recent years,
e.g., neurochemistry, the chemical study of the nervous system.
Branches Of Chemistry
Agrochemistry
This branch of chemistry may also be called agricultural chemistry. It deals with the application of chemistry for agricultural production,
food processing, and environmental remediation as a result of agriculture.
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical chemistry is the branch of chemistry involved with studying the properties of materials or developing tools to analyze materials.
Astrochemistry
Astrochemistry is the study of the composition and reactions of the chemical elements and molecules found in the stars and space and the interactions between this matter and radiation.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical reactions that occur inside living organisms.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering involves the practical application of chemistry to solve problems.
Chemistry History
Chemistry history is the branch of chemistry and history that traces the evolution over chemistry as a science.
To some extent, alchemy is included as a topic of chemistry history.
Cluster Chemistry
This chemistry branch involves the study of clusters of bound atoms, intermediate in size between single molecules and bulk solids.
Combinatorial Chemistry Combinatorial chemistry involves computer simulation of molecules and reactions between molecules.
Electrochemistry
Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that involves studying chemical reactions in a solution at the interface between an ionic conductor and an electrical conductor.
Electrochemistry may be considered to be the study of electron transfer, particularly within an electrolytic solution.
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental chemistry is the chemistry associated with soil, air, and water and human impact on natural systems.
Food Chemistry
Food chemistry is the branch of chemistry associated with the chemical processes of all aspects of food. Many aspects of food chemistry rely on biochemistry,
However, it incorporates other disciplines as well.
General Chemistry
General chemistry examines the structure of matter and the reaction between matter and energy.
It is the basis for the other branches of chemistry.
Geochemistry
Geochemistry is the study of chemical composition and chemical processes associated with the Earth and other planets.
Green Chemistry
Green chemistry is concerned with processes and products that eliminate or reduce the use or release of hazardous substances.
Remediation may be considered part of green chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the structure and interactions between inorganic compounds,
which are any compounds that are not based on carbon-hydrogen bonds.
Kinetics
Kinetics examines the rate at which chemical reactions occur and the factors that affect chemical processes.
Medicinal Chemistry
Medicinal chemistry is chemistry as it applies to pharmacology and medicine.
Nanochemistry
Nanochemistry is concerned with the assembly and properties of nanoscale assemblies of atoms or molecules.
Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear chemistry is the branch of chemistry associated with nuclear reactions and isotopes.
Organic Chemistry
This branch of chemistry deals with the chemistry of carbon and living things.
Photochemistry
Photochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with interactions between light and matter.
Physical Chemistry
Physical chemistry is the branch of chemistry that applies physics to the study of chemistry.
Quantum mechanics and thermodynamics are examples of physical chemistry disciplines.
Polymer Chemistry
Polymer chemistry or macromolecular chemistry is the branch of chemistry the examines the structure and properties of macromolecules and polymers and finds new ways to synthesize these molecules.
Solid State Chemistry
Solid-state chemistry is the branch of chemistry focused on the structure, properties, and chemical processes that occur in the solid phase.
Much of solid-state chemistry deals with the synthesis and characterization of new solid-state materials.
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy examines the interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength. Spectroscopy is commonly used to detect and identify chemicals based on their spectroscopic signatures.
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry may be considered a type of Physical Chemistry. Thermochemistry involves the study of the thermal effects of chemical reactions and the thermal energy exchange between processes.
Theoretical Chemistry
Theoretical chemistry applies chemistry and physics calculations to explain or make predictions about chemical phenomena.
