What is the Scope of Physics?
The scope of physics is best understood under the three disciplines Microscopic, Mesoscopic and Macroscopic phenomena.
Microscopic Phenomena
The microscopic domain includes atomic, molecular, and nuclear.
Mesoscopic Phenomena
Recently, the domain intermediate between the macroscopic and the microscopic (the so-called mesoscopic physics), dealing with a few tens or hundreds of atoms, has emerged as an exciting field of research.
Macroscopic Phenomena
The macroscopic domain includes phenomena at the laboratory, terrestrial and astronomical scales. Classical Physics deals mainly with macroscopic phenomena and includes subjects like Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics, and Thermodynamics.
Mechanics
Mechanics founded on Newton’s laws of motion and the law of gravitation is concerned with the motion (or equilibrium) of particles, rigid and deformable bodies, and general systems of particles. Examples of problems in mechanics are the propulsion of a rocket by a jet of ejecting gases, propagation of water waves or sound waves in the air, the equilibrium of a bent rod under a load, etc.
Electrodynamics
Electrodynamics deals with electric and magnetic phenomena associated with charged and magnetic bodies. Examples are the Response of electrical circuits to ac/dc voltage (signal) or the working of an antenna etc.
Optics
The branch of physics that deals with light-related phenomena is mentioned as Optics. The working of telescopes and microscopes, colours exhibited by thin films, etc., are topics in optics.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics deals with systems in macroscopic equilibrium and is concerned with changes in internal energy, temperature, entropy, etc., of the system through external work and transfer of heat. The efficiency of heat engines and refrigerators, the direction of a physical or chemical process, etc., are problems of interest in thermodynamics.
Physics is exciting in many ways. To some people, the excitement comes from the elegance and the universality of its basic theories, from the fact that a few basic concepts and laws can explain phenomena covering a large range of magnitude of physical quantities. To some others, the challenge in carrying out imaginative new experiments to unlock the secrets of nature, to verify or refute theories, is thrilling. Applied physics is equally demanding. Application and exploitation of physical laws to make useful devices is the most interesting and exciting part and requires great ingenuity and persistence of effort.
Q1. What are the two scopes of physics?
Solution: The two scopes of physics are – Classical Physics and Modern Physics. The classical physics principle works with the macroscopic phenomena while the modern physics principle works upon the microscopic phenomena.
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