TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
Physics is often described as the
study of matter and energy. It is concerned with how matter and energy relate
to each other, and how they affect each other over time and through space.
Physicists ask the fundamental questions how did the universe begin? how and of
what is it made? how does it change? what rules govern its behavior?
Concepts of Physics
The Concepts of Physics
Explain the concepts of physics
Physics is described as the general
scientific study of nature that aims to understand the behavior of the
universe. Physics, therefore tries to explain how things happen around us
or why they happen the way they do. For example, how a car moves from one point
to another? Why unlike poles of magnets attract? Why does a mango fall? How is
a rainbow formed? And so on.
Physics as a subject uses concepts
like force, energy, mass, power among others to explain different phenomena.
Energy, for example, may take the form of motion, light or electricity. In so
doing, students of Physics get to learn more about matter and energy and how
they interact with each other.
Therefore, Physics is the study of
the relationship between matter and energy.
The people who study and work
professionally in this field are called physicists.
Physics is an experimental science
subject, which creates theories that are tested against observations of the
natural world. Theories are used to explain why things behave the way they do.
This is why physicists always insist on accurate measurements and a record
of results during each experiment.
Once these results are in precise
mathematical forms, technologists make use of such data when designing devices
such as radios, televisions, mobile phones, computers, and artificial
satellites. All these things are for the betterment of human life.
The Relationship between Physics and
other Subjects
Establish the relationship between
physics and other subjects
Knowledge of physics is also applied
in other subjects. The principles of electrostatics and particulate nature, for
example, are used to explain reactions in chemistry. The tools, implements and
farm machinery learnt in agriculture as well as the process of dating
historical remains are applications of physics.
Physics provides the basis for
biology. Without space, matter, energy and time -- components that make up the
universe -- living organisms would not exist. Physicist Richard Feynman said
that everything on earth is made of atoms, basic units of matter, that
constantly move. Since biology has its foundation in physics, it applies
physical natural laws to the study of living organisms, according to Muskegon
Community College. For instance, physics helps explain how bats use sound waves
to navigate in the dark and how wings give insects the ability to move through
the air. The American Physical Society shares that many flowers arrange their
seeds or petals in a Fibonacci-like sequence to maximize exposure to light and
nutrients. In some cases, biology helps prove physical laws and theories.
Feynman states that biology helped scientists come up with the law of
conservation of energy.
Importance of Studying Physics
State the importance of studying
physics
Why Study Physics?
- Physics helps us tounderstand
how the world around us works, from can openers, light bulbs and cell
phones to muscles, lungs and brains; from paints, piccolos and pirouettes
to cameras, cars and cathedrals; from earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes
to quarks, DNA and black holes. From the prosaic . . . to the profound . .
. to the poetic. . .
- Physics helps us toorganize
the universe.It deals with fundamentals, and helps us tosee the
connectionsbetween seemly disparate phenomena.Physics gives us
powerful tools to help us toexpress our creativity, to see the
world in new ways and then to change it.
- Physics providesquantitative
and analytic skillsneeded foranalyzing data and solving problemsin
the sciences, engineering and medicine, as well as in economics, finance,
management, law and public policy.
- Physics is the basis for most
modern technology,
and for the tools and instruments used in scientific, engineering and
medical research and development. Manufacturing is dominated by
physics-based technology.
- Physics helps you to help
others.Doctors
that don’t understand physics can be dangerous. Medicine without physics
technology would be barbaric. Schools without qualified physics teachers
cut their students off from a host of well-respected, well paying careers.
Discoveries in Physics have led to
various inventions that influence our lives.
- At home;All tools and machinery that we
use in our homes to make work easier are made in accordance with the laws
of Physics. They include crowbars, hammers, door handles, cutlery, hinges,
car jack, pulleys, tillage implements, and so many other things. For
example, it would be difficult for us to try to lift a car so as to change
its tyres. However, using a car jack makes this task easy. Electrical
appliances such as cooker, iron, heater, electric lamps, washing machine
and so on are a result of the application of the knowledge of physics.
- Medical field; A variety of medical processes
and machinery rely on the application of the knowledge of Physics. Some of
these machines are used in diagnosis and treatment of various ailments as
well as sustaining the lives of patients through certain forms of therapy.
Examples of machines used in hospitals include laser, x-ray, incubators,
ultrasound and infrared machines. The knowledge used in handling and even
actual use of these machines is based on the knowledge and skills acquired
in Physics.
- Source of energy; Some processes and machines
help us to obtain energy for our daily use. These machines make use of
various laws of physics to give us different forms of energy. For example,
batteries and generators provide electrical energy that is readily used in
radios and televisions. A car battery provides energy needed to drive a
car. When devices like bulbs are connected to these sources, they provide
light energy for daily use.
- Transport; Application of laws of Physics
governing concepts such as friction and frictional forces ensures that
human beings and animals can walk, run and stop without falling over.
Vessels used in transportation such as cars, ships, aeroplanes and trains
are also able to move, brake and stop when necessary. This is all because
the laws related to friction; flotation and balance are observed and
applied accordingly. When these laws are disobeyed, ships sink and trains
derail.
- Communication; Devices used in communication
systems such as telephones, modems for accessing the internet and
television, use cables, telecommunication transmitters and receivers to
relay information. The knowledge of Physics is essential, because these
instruments make use of fiber optics and radio waves in order to relay
messages. Newspapers, letters, electronic mails (email), fax massages from
fax machines and short messages (SMS) through mobile phones are reliable
means of communication. All these things require the knowledge of Physics.
- Entertainment; Physics enables people to
enjoy a variety of leisure activities as is evident in photography,
digital appliances, exercise machines and other sport equipment.
- Industry; Physicists have been able to
come up with tools and process that have resulted in advanced
technological equipment and new discoveries. These include highly accurate
skills such as computer assembly and computer programs used in design; and
instruments like binoculars and telescopes; the ability to land on the
moon and measure the temperature of bodies are a few examples.
- In schools;The instruments and apparatus
used in school laboratories are made through the application of the
knowledge and skill acquired in a Physics class. These apparatus have to
meet certain specifications or standards that are universally accepted.
Physics in Daily Life
Apply physics in daily life
Driving a car requires a basic
understanding of the principles of physics, whether the driver is conscious of
them or not. For instance, the balance of a car changes as the car accelerates,
decelerates or turns. To keep the car on the road, the driver must anticipate
these forces acting on the car and make adjustments.
Having an understanding of physics
may also help an individual to lift something heavy. For example, by using a
simple machine such as an inclined plane or a lever, an individual can make the
load easier to lift. Physicists study simple machines extensively and use the
lessons they learn to make increasingly efficient tools.
To stay warm in the winter, people
up turn the heat up or use the principles of physics to understand how to make
better use of the heat that is already in their homes. Heat flows via
conductive, radiant and convective means; understanding the differences between
the three forms will allow an individual to insulate a house better. For
example, by using ceiling fans intelligently, someone can make the convective
heat flow in a house work to their advantage.
