The branches of physics are different areas or fields of study of physics. Physics is the science that is responsible for explaining everything that happens in the Universe, which is why it covers a great diversity of areas: movement, forces, radiation, energy, among others.
Branch of physics Object of study Applications Acoustics Sound Navigation systems and location by sound, echosonograms. Astrophysics Large bodies in space. Knowledge of other celestial bodies. Biophysics Physical laws of biological processes. Cellular energy, nerve impulse transmission, cell transport. Cryogenics Materials at very low temperatures Superconductivity, powerful magnets. Kinematics Moving objects Calculate the trajectory and speed of objects. Dynamics Forces acting on objects. Static Aerodynamics Forces on bodies at rest. Construction, engineering. Electromagnetism Electricity and magnetism Electrical networks, wireless communication, electronic equipment. Atomic physics The atom Quantum mechanics, nanotechnology, Physics of fluids Behavior of liquids and gases. Aeronautics, industrial processes, circulatory system. Solid state physics Matter and the interactions between atoms. Photoresist, new magnetic and laser materials, superconductors. Physics of plasma Physical properties of plasma Treatment for paper recycling. Condensed matter physics Properties of solids and liquids. Thermal conductivity, ferromagnetism. Medical Physics Radiation in human health. Radiotherapy and dosimetry. Nuclear physics Nucleus of the atom. Nuclear reactors, medicine. Particle Physics Particles that make up the atom. medical diagnosis and treatment, World Wide Web, sterilization. Classical mechanics Movement of bodies: includes kinematics, dynamics and statics. Launch of rockets and spaceships. Quantum mechanics Behavior of subatomic particles. Properties and structure of matter. Meteorology The atmosphere and its components. Prediction and monitoring of weather conditions. Optics Light and other electromagnetic waves. Optical fibers, laser. Thermodynamics Energy, heat and its transfers. Cooling, engines
1. Acoustics
Acoustics is the branch of classical physics that study the sound as a disturbance of the air, its way of spreading, the phenomena that produce it, how it is heard and how it is absorbed.
Tools: pressure diagram, microphones, ultrasound.
Applications: soundproofing, sound insulation, design of musical instruments and concert halls, navigation systems and sound location.
2. Astrophysics
The branch of physics that studies the largest material bodies is astrophysics. Describes the movement of bodies and systems in space, such as stars, quasars, galaxies, and interstellar matter.
Tools: astronomical observatories, telescopes, radio telescopes, space probes.
Applications: geopositioning, knowledge of other planets.
3. Biophysics
Biophysicists combine biology and physics to study the physical laws of biological processesthe functioning of the cell membrane, the way nerve impulses operate and muscle contraction.
Tools: molecular biology, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence microscopy based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, electrophysiology.
Applications: thermodynamic stability of proteins, cellular energy, cellular transport.
You may also be interested in seeing Branches of Biology.
4. Cryogenics
Low temperature physics or cryogenics studies the behavior of matter at extremely low temperatures. Absolute zero (0ºK) indicates the lowest temperature that a body can reach, where the molecules are practically immobile.
Tools: compression and expansion of gases, cryostat.
Applications: superconductivity and superfluidity, construction of super powerful magnets, lines for power transmission with high performance.
5. Kinematics
Kinematics is the branch of mechanics that studies motions. moving objects. To describe the movement, kinematics studies the trajectory of points, lines and other geometric objects, speed, acceleration, displacement are calculated.
Tools: video cameras, observation, mathematics.
Applications: calculation of the speed and trajectory of objects, ballistics.
6. Dynamics
Dynamics is the branch of mechanics that studies the relationships between movement of bodies and their causes. It studies the forces that cause objects and systems to move.
Tools: Newton’s laws, force diagrams.
Applications: calculations of friction, deformation, resistance, aerodynamics, propulsion.
7. Static
In constructions, static physics has a notable application (Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
Statics is the branch of mechanics that studies the balance of bodies. It deals with the analysis of forces acting on a system at rest.
Tools: Newton’s laws, simple machines.
Applications: construction of buildings and bridges.
8. Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is the study of phenomena of electricity and magnetism, the interaction between charged particles in electric and magnetic fields and the propagation of electromagnetic waves through space.
Tools: magnets, electric charges, voltmeters, ammeters.
Applications: electricity distribution network systems, global communication networks, electronic equipment.
9. Atomic physics
Atomic physics deals with the study of the atom: its structure, electronic configuration and energy emission and absorption mechanisms.
Tools: radioactivity, spectroscopy, lasers.
Applications: quantum mechanics, nanotechnology.
10. Physics of fluids
Fluid physics studies the behavior of liquids, gases or other fluids at rest and in motion.
Tools: Archimedes principle, surface tension, capillarity.
Applications: control of the flow of compressed air and fuel in aircraft, control systems for industrial hydraulic processes and processes at high temperatures. Functioning of the circulatory system.
11. Solid state physics
Solid state physics studies and explores matter and the interaction between atoms in macroscopic scale dimensions. Try to explain the chemical properties in terms of the physical properties of each atom.
Tools: Electron microscope, X-ray diffraction crystallography.
Applications: laser materials, photoresistors, photocells, fluorescent or phosphorescent materials, new magnetic materials, superconductors, new magnetic materials.
12. Physics of plasma
Plasma physics studies the charged particles state of matter. Plasma is found naturally in stars and space. In laboratories, plasma is created by heating gases until the electrons detach from their atom or molecule.
Tool: high power laser, microwave.
Applications: treatment of paper for recycling.
13. Physics of condensed matter
Condensed matter physics is concerned with the thermal, electromagnetic, and optical properties of solid and liquid substances.
Tools: crystallography, spectrometry.
Applications: thermal conductivity, semiconductors and insulators, superfluidity, ferromagnetism.
14. Particle Physics
Particle physics is the study of particles fundamental particles that constitute matter. It is also known by the name of “High Energy Physics” due to the high amounts of energy needed to create the right conditions for its observation.
Tools: particle accelerators, cosmic rays.
Applications: magnetic resonance imaging, the World Wide Web, nuclear waste transmutation, shipping container scanners.
15. Medical physics
Medical physics is a branch of physics that applies the principles, methods, and techniques of physics in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases.
Tools: imaging, radiological equipment, magnetic resonance.
Applications: clinical service, radiotherapy, dosimetry.
16. Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics examines the nucleus of the atom, made up of protons, neutrons and other particles. The nuclear physicist studies the arrangement of these particles in the nucleus, the forces that hold them together, the way in which the nuclei release energy in the form of natural radioactivity or due to fusion or fission reactions.
Tools: beams of protons or electrons such as projectiles, nuclear reactors, Geiger counters.
Applications: radioactivity, medicine, power plants.
17. Classical mechanics
Classical mechanics comprises the entire study of the motion of bodies. It includes kinematics, dynamics and statics.
Tools: Newton’s laws of motion.
Applications: launch of rockets and spaceships.
18. Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics studies the laws that govern the behavior of subatomic particles. In the field of extremely small dimensions, bodies follow completely different laws of behavior from those of the macroscopic world.
Tool: black body radiation.
Applications: predicting the behavior of particles and internal phenomena of the atom, allows us to delve into the properties and structure of solid materials, such as semiconductors.
19. Meteorology
Satellite image of Hurricane Catarina in 2004.
The weather is the study of the atmosphere and its components. Meteorologists apply physics to examine the flows and movement of air and water over the Earth’s surface.
Tools: satellite images, radars, weather stations.
Applications: air flow research, weather forecasting, weather condition monitoring.
20. Optics
optics studies the light and has many applications in the field of optoelectronics and optical fibers.
Tools: lenses, mirrors, telescopes and binoculars.
Applications: study of the behavior of light and other electromagnetic waves, optical fibers.
21. Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that studies the different forms of energyas well as the conditions under which one can be transformed into the other.
Tools: laws of thermodynamics, calorimeters.
Applications: cooling systems, internal combustion engines, propulsion engines of space vehicles.
Theoretical and experimental physics
Physics is the study of the matter that makes up the Universe and the laws that govern it. The work in physics can be approached in two…