← My collections
Sciences · PhysicsAlso in: Science and Technology track
It's copied to your library with every feature (audio, generate more, ask the teacher) without spending AI again on flashcards/quizzes. "Add the whole unit" also brings in the other topics in this category.
Physics
University, Sciences
Laws governing matter, energy, and their fundamental interactions. Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
40 flashcards24 quiz questions8 summary sections
Sign up to open «Physics»
Browsing the syllabus and its units is open to all. Opening the full topic — summary, quiz, flashcards and audio — is free but requires an account, so we can save your progress and keep this sustainable for everyone.
Summary by section
Scored quiz
Review flashcards
Audio
What you need to know
Read the full theory →Definition, history, and foundations of physics
- Definition: Science that studies energy, matter, force, motion, and space-time.
- Evolution: From Greek philosophy (over 2000 years ago) to modern science in the 17th century.
- Methodology: Use of the scientific method, quantitative experiments, and verification of causalities.
- Milestone: Classical mechanics and universal gravitation (Newton).
- Milestone: Electricity and magnetism (Faraday).
- Milestone: Theories of relativity (Einstein).
- Milestone: Thermodynamics (Joule and Carnot).
- Milestone: Quantum mechanics (de Broglie, Heisenberg, and Schrödinger).
- Nature: Fundamental, theoretical, and experimental science.
- Technological impact: Electromagnetism (computers, TV), Thermodynamics (industrialization), and Mechanics (calculus).
- Interdisciplinarity: Overlapping relationship with chemistry and mathematics (e.g., quantum chemistry).
Basic theories of physics: classical and modern
- Theoretical physics: development and review of fundamental theories
- Classical physics: applicable to velocities much lower than the speed of light
- Classical mechanics: includes statics, kinematics, and dynamics
- Continuum mechanics: includes hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and pneumatics
- Acoustics: includes ultrasonic, bioacoustics, and electroacoustics branches
- Optics: studies visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light
- Thermodynamics: the relationship between heat and other forms of energy
- Electromagnetism: the connection between electricity and magnetism
- Electrostatics: electric charges at rest
- Electrodynamics: electric charges in motion
- Magnetostatics: magnetic poles at rest
- Modern physics: study under extreme conditions or at very small/large scales
- High-energy physics: study of elementary particles
- Quantum theory: describes the discrete nature of matter
- Special relativity: motion without gravitational fields
- General relativity: motion and connection with gravitation
Fundamental theories and branches of physics
- Classical physics: valid for scales > atomic and velocities < speed of light
- Special relativity: describes systems with velocities near the speed of light
- Special relativity: replaces absolute time/space with spacetime
- Quantum mechanics: probabilistic description of atomic and subatomic scales
- Quantum field theory: unifies quantum mechanics and special relativity
- General relativity: describes dynamic and curved spacetime for highly massive systems
- General relativity: not yet unified; quantum gravity theories exist
- Main branches: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics
- Research areas: theoretical, condensed matter, molecular, atomic, nuclear, particles/high-energy, astrophysics, and biophysics
Foundations and branches of modern and classical physics
- Classical mechanics: includes Newton's laws, fluids, elasticity, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.
- Special relativity (1905): does not include gravity.
- General relativity (1905-1919): confirmed by Eddington's observations.
- Quantum mechanics: the cornerstone is Einstein's photoelectric effect (1905).
- Quantum mechanics: Louis de Broglie proposed the radical idea of this physics.
- Statistical physics: uses probability theory for stochastic systems.
- Thermodynamics: includes subdivisions such as quantum, biological, and black hole thermodynamics.
- Electron: discovered by Joseph John Thomson in 1897.
- Triode: invented by Lee De Forest in 1906.
- Transistor: developed by Bardeen and Brattain in 1948.
- Integrated circuit: first model by Jack S. Kilby in 1958.
- Laser: first operated by Theodore Maiman in 1960.
- Snell's Law: established by Snell in optics.
Origins and evolution of astronomy and natural philosophy
- Astronomical origin: Civilizations prior to the year 3000 B.C. (Sumeria, Egypt, Indus Valley)
- Root of Western astronomy: Mesopotamia
- Greek contribution: Nomenclature of constellations in the Northern Hemisphere
- Natural philosophy: Emergence in Archaic Greece (650-480 B.C.)
- Pre-Socratic premise: Every phenomenon has a natural cause verifiable by reason and observation
- Success of atomism: Proposed by Leucippus and Democritus, validated 2000 years later
- Byzantine preservation: The Eastern Empire maintained scientific knowledge after the fall of the West in the 5th century
- Isidore of Miletus: Compiled the works of Archimedes in the 6th century
- Juan Filopón: Criticized Aristotle in the 6th century, prioritizing observation over verbal argument
- Impetus Theory: Introduced by Filopón and developed by Jean Buridan in 1300
- Modern concepts: Impetus is a precursor to inertia and momentum
- Islamic scholarship: Developed the scientific method through observation and a priori reasoning
Evolution of Classical and Modern Optics and Physics
- Key work: The Book of Optics by Ibn al-Haytham (7 volumes)
- Ibn al-Haytham: refuted Greek vision and studied the camera obscura
- Influence of Arabic optics: lasted more than 600 years in the East and West
- Classical physics: born with experimental and quantitative methods
- Copernican model: replaced the geocentric model
- Kepler's laws: determined between 1609 and 1619
- Newton: unified the laws of motion and universal gravitation
- Calculus: developed by Newton to solve physical problems
- Classical physics: applicable to everyday scales and non-relativistic speeds
- Modern physics: studies extreme conditions or very small/large scales
- High-energy physics: studies elementary particles
- Quantum theory: focuses on discrete nature and wave-particle duality
- Special relativity: motion without gravitational fields
- General relativity: motion and its connection to gravitation
Units of measurement in physics
- Length: meter (m)
- Area: square meter (m2)
- Volume: cubic meter (m3)
- Time: second (s)
- Velocity: meter per second (m/s)
- Acceleration: meter per second squared (m/s2)
- Frequency: hertz (Hz)
- Force: newton (N)
- Work: joule (J)
- Energy: joule (J)
- Power: watt (W)
- Mass: kilogram (kg)
- Amount of substance: mole
- Temperature: kelvin (K)
- Pressure: pascal (Pa)
Bibliography on Physics, Science, and Philosophy
- Physics and Science: Works by Feynman, Hawking, Penrose, and Schrödinger
- History of Science: Texts on Egyptian science, ancient astronomy, and Greek mathematics
- Mechanics and Theory: References on fluid mechanics, magnetism, and probability
- Modern Physics: Bibliography on relativity, quantum mechanics, and condensed matter
- Philosophy: Works on the philosophy of science and the nature of space and time
- Additional Resources: Link to Wiktionary for physics definitions
Flashcard preview (6 of 40)
- 01
Etymology of the word 'physics' (from the Latin *physica*):
From the Greek *physikós* ("natural, relating to nature").
- 02
In the 17th century, physics became a modern and unique science in its own right during the:
Scientific Revolution.
- 03
Physics is considered a fundamental science because it includes chemistry, biology, and [____] in its field of study.
Electronics.
- 04
Advances in thermodynamics led directly to the development of:
Industrialization.
- 05
Advances in mechanics inspired the development of:
Calculus.
- 06
In classical physics, what types of objects or phenomena are studied with acceptable precision?
Objects moving at speeds much lower than the speed of light.
+ 34 more flashcards, 24 quiz questions and audio when you sign up (free).