Complete Physics Textbooks

What Is Physics?

The word physics is derived from the Latin word physica, which means "natural thing."

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, physics is defined as:

Definition of "Physics" by the Oxford English Dictionary

"The branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms."

Another definition by the digital encyclopedia Microsoft Encarta describes physics as:

Definition of "Physics" by Microsoft Encarta

“A major science dealing with the fundamental constituents of the universe, the forces they exert on one another, and the results produced by these forces. Sometimes in modern physics a more sophisticated approach is taken that incorporates elements of the three areas listed above; it relates to the laws of symmetry and conservation, such as those pertaining to energy, momentum, charge, and parity.”

What these definitions indicate is that physics is a branch of science that deals with the properties of matter and energy and the relationship between them. It also tries to explain the material world and the natural phenomena of the universe.

The scope of physics is very wide and vast. It deals with not only the tinniest particles of atoms, but also natural phenomenon like the galaxy, the milky way, solar and lunar eclipses, and more. While it is true that physics is a branch of science, there are many sub-branches within the field of physics.

What Are the Branches of Physics?

While there are more branches sprouting up as science and technology progresses, there are generally 11 branches of physics. These are as follows.

Branches of Physics

Classical physics

Modern physics

Nuclear physics

Atomic physics

Geophysics

Biophysics

Mechanics

Acoustics

Optics

Thermodynamics

Astrophysics

Continue reading in the app to explore each of these branches in depth.

This app of Physics, Extended building upon previous issues by offering several new features and additions. The app offers most accurate, extensive and varied set of assessment questions of any course management program in addition to all questions including some form of question assistance including answer specific feedback to facilitate success. Furthermore, the app includes math review content in both a self-study module for more in-depth review and also in just-in-time math videos for a quick refresher on a specific topic.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Measurement

Chapter 2 Motion Along a Straight Line

Chapter 3 Vector

Chapter 4 Motion in Two and Three Dimensions

Chapter 5 Force and Motion I

Chapter 6 Force and Motion II

Chapter 7 Kinetic Energy and Work

Chapter 8 Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy

Chapter 9 Center of Mass and Linear Momentum

Chaptr 10 Rotation

Chap 11 Rolling, Torque, and Angular Momentum

Chapter 12 Equilibrium and Elasticity

Chapter 13 Gravitation

Chapter 14 Fluids

Chapter 15 Oscillations

Chapter 16 Waves

Chapter 18 Temperature, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics

Chapter 19 The Kinetic Theory of Gases

Chapter 20 Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Chapter 21 Electric Charge

Chapter 22 Electric Fields

Chapter 23 Gauss' Law

Chapter 24 Electric Potential

Chapter 25 Capacitance

Chapter 26 Current and Resistance

Chapter 27 Circuits

Chapter 28 Magnetic Fields

Chapter 29 Magnetic Fields Due to Currents

Chapter 30 Induction and Inductance

Chapter 31 Electromagnetic Oscillations and Alternating Current

Chapter 32 Maxwell's Equations; Magnetism of Matter

Chapter 33 Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 34 Images

Chapter 35 Interference

Chapter 36 Diffraction

Chapter 37 Relativity

Chapter 38 Photons and Matter Waves

Chapter 39 More About Matter Waves

Chapter 40 All About Atoms

Chapter 41 Conduction of Electricity in Solids

Chapter 42 Nuclear Physics

Chapter 43 Energy from the Nucleus

Chapter 44 Quarks, Leptons, and the Big Bang