Importance of Physics
Physics is one of the oldest basic sciences in existence, having an invaluable importance for understanding the natural phenomena present in the universe and the evolution of humanity to the point where we are today. From why objects move to how matter is transformed and how this is so strongly linked to the concept of energy, these are mysteries that physics is responsible for revealing.
Like all other sciences, physics is also subdivided into various areas, the most common of which are: 1) mechanics, which focuses on the study of the motion and behavior of bodies in relation to the forces acting upon them and which is further divided into Newtonian mechanics, quantum mechanics, and relativistic mechanics; 2) thermodynamics, which studies the processes of heat and energy transfer and how they relate to changes in the physical and chemical properties of matter; 3) electromagnetism and electrodynamics, which analyze the electrical and magnetic properties of matter and how they interact with each other; 4) optics, which observes phenomena related to light and how it behaves in different materials and situations; 5) atomic and nuclear physics, which focuses on the study of the structure and properties of atoms and atomic nuclei, as well as their reactions; 6) particle physics, through which subatomic particles and their interaction with the fundamental forces of nature are investigated; 7) Mathematical physics, specializing in the development of mathematical theories and models that allow us to explain and predict the behavior of matter and energy in different situations and conditions; 8) Astrophysics, which is undoubtedly the field with the greatest openness to dissemination in recent times, thanks to the great advances made in the understanding of matters of the cosmos.
Why study Physics?
The author of this article assumes that in her youth she came to wonder “what would be the point of learning formulas and concepts of physics?” Well, it is true that formulas will not be a constant in the life of every person, but physics will be. It is present in almost everything that involves our life in such a routine way that it goes unnoticed. Electric light, the car that takes us somewhere, cooking on a gas stove are examples of how physics is useful, but do not be fooled into thinking that it is only present in conveniences. Do you know that bread that you left out of the package, that went hard, or that time you ran to the bus stop before it arrived? They also involve physics.
It is through the study of physics that we find the answer to natural phenomena and with this knowledge we can develop techniques on how to master or improve processes by using them to our advantage. Using the example of bread that we cited, we observe that the softness of its initial state is associated with the availability of water inside it, which when in contact with the air, undergoes the exchange of humidity, losing water to the environment and thus, as a result, the bread hardens. Based on this information, we store the bread in an airtight bag or container, which in this case will be a barrier between the food and the environment , so that it can be preserved for longer.
It is virtually impossible for many of us to imagine life without the technological advantages that surround us, but none of this would be possible without an understanding of the science behind this knowledge. This understanding goes far beyond preserving food or knowing the advantages of electricity, as people with a good understanding of basic physics can prevent certain dangerous situations and even save someone’s life.
Calculations for living
Without the possibility of a constant and complex mathematical management as a base language, physical phenomena could not even be understandable, much less predictable, hence why the quantification of events is so important for this area of human knowledge.
However, mathematics also allows for the development of predictive models based on mere hypotheses, sometimes based on truly absurd ideas, but which allow in one way or another to shape the analysis of a phenomenon about which there is not yet sufficient data or even any evidence; therefore, most of the approaches, and even more so those made from fields such as astrophysics, cannot be considered anything more than speculative bases on what in the future may be completely proven or disproven. An example of this is the black hole theory itself, which for decades was only a potential explanation given by Stephen Hawking, about what he thought could happen after the release of excessive amounts of energy following certain phenomena in the Universe, but of which he had nothing more than a collection of numbers and equations, until only in 2019 the level of technology necessary to be able to observe one for the first time was reached.
All this is a consequence of Hawking’s years of promoting his idea, which allowed him to know what to look for and where, even though there was no prior evidence of its existence, beyond logic accompanied by a few numbers.
Origin of physics as a science
Physics is defined as the science that is dedicated to the investigation of natural phenomena in their most diverse aspects in the search for knowledge about the properties and relationships of matter and energy. It can be said that its origin is linked to the philosophers of nature in ancient Greece who denied mystical explanations for the phenomena they observed and began to rationalize theories about the facts that surrounded them.
Many centuries later, during the Renaissance , there was a great advance in physics with names like Galileo and Newton, and with the knowledge accumulated by many scholars, formulations, experiments and mainly interpretations based on facts expressed in mathematical language, that is, equations, arose.
From this wide and growing range of information that has been emerging/discovered over the years, the folly of dividing this science into areas and, consequently, into sub-areas, following their development and technological advances, appears. Thus, we have classical physics and modern physics as the two main branches. The first directs its studies to macroscopic phenomena such as thermology, optics, mechanics, waves and electricity. Modern Physics, on the other hand, deals with microscopic phenomena, whose study, as mentioned above, was made possible thanks to technological advances in the sub-areas of quantum mechanics, nuclear physics and relativity.
Theoretical physicists are currently proposing various hypotheses and models to explain the origin and evolution of the universe, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and the fundamental structure of matter at the subatomic level, with new findings being discovered daily. Space news has become a new communication race for who can provide more information, attracting humanity’s interest in topics that until recently were considered elitist and understandable to a few, thus proving that science, despite its complexity, is a matter created by human curiosity itself and therefore will never be outside its true essence and interest.
Physics is always present in everyday life
There are so many concepts involved, from the movement of our body to the launch of a rocket into space, that describing them all is almost impossible. However, knowledge about certain physical phenomena has become fundamental for human safety and survival, and is passed down between people for generations, even without a proper understanding of why. With the expansion of studies and research and a better understanding of how everything happens, physics began to be taught in classrooms from childhood.
For example, in the middle of a storm we should always avoid open spaces, as lightning tends to be attracted to the highest point, i.e. a person or a pole. It is also not safe to get too close to a tree because the sap inside it is a good electrical conductor, which increases the chances of being struck by lightning, making it very common for cars parked under trees to be damaged by breaking branches (not to mention the action of the force of the wind).