Physics – branch of science that studies matter and its motion through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and force. Physics is one of the "fundamental sciences" because the other natural sciences (like biology, geology etc.) deal with systems that seem to obey the laws of physics. According to physics, the physical laws of matter, energy and the fundamental forces of nature govern the interactions between particles and physical entities (such as planets, molecules, atoms or the subatomic particles). Some of the basic pursuits of physics, which include some of the most prominent developments in modern science in the last millennium, include:
Describing the nature, measuring and quantifying of bodies and their motion, dynamics etc.
Newton's laws of motion
Mass, force and weight
Momentum and conservation of energy
Gravity, theories of gravity
Energy, work, and their relationship
Different forms of Energy, their interconversion and the inevitable loss of energy in the form of heat (Thermodynamics)
Energy conservation, conversion, and transfer.
Energy source the transfer of energy from one source to work in another.
Heat flow: conduction, convection, and radiation
The four laws of thermodynamics
The principles of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetism
The principles, sources, and properties of light
Basic principles of astronomy
Astronomy – science of celestial bodies and their interactions in space. Its studies include the following:
Origins of the universe. Physical science uses the Big Bang theory as the commonly accepted scientific theory of the origin of the universe.
A heliocentric Solar System. Ancient cultures saw the Earth as the centre of the Solar System or universe (geocentrism). In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus advanced the ideas of heliocentrism, recognizing the Sun as the centre of the Solar System.
The structure of solar systems, planets, comets, asteroids, and meteors
The shape and structure of Earth (roughly spherical, see also Spherical Earth)
Earth in the Solar System
Time measurement
The composition and features of the Moon
Interactions of the Earth and Moon
(Note: Astronomy should not be confused with astrology, which assumes that people's destiny and human affairs in general correlate to the apparent positions of astronomical objects in the sky – although the two fields share a common origin, they are quite different; astronomers embrace the scientific method, while astrologers do not.)
Basic principles of chemistry
Chemistry – branch of science that studies the composition, structure, properties and change of matter. Chemistry is chiefly concerned with atoms and molecules and their interactions and transformations, for example, the properties of the chemical bonds formed between atoms to create chemical compounds. As such, chemistry studies the involvement of electrons and various forms of energy in photochemical reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, changes in phases of matter, and separation of mixtures. Preparation and properties of complex substances, such as alloys, polymers, biological molecules, and pharmaceutical agents are considered in specialized fields of chemistry.
Chemistry, the central science, partial ordering of the sciences proposed by Balaban and Klein.
The nature of the atomic nucleus
Characterization of radioactive decay
Basic principles of Earth science
Earth science – the science of the planet Earth, as of 2018 the only identified life-bearing planet. Its studies include the following:
The water cycle and the process of transpiration
Earth's tectonic structure
Characteristics and formation of fossils
Atmospheric sciences – the branches of science that study the atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the atmosphere on these other systems.
Meteorology, weather, climatology, and climate
Hydrology, clouds and precipitation
Major storms: thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes