Physical science

Physical science is an encompassing term for the branches of natural science, and science (generally), that study non-living systems, in contrast to the biological sciences. However, the term "physical" creates an unintended, somewhat arbitary distinction, since many branches of physical science also study biological phenomena.

Basic principles

The foundations of the physical sciences rests upon key concepts and theories, each of which explains and/or models a particular aspect of the behavior of nature. As in other sciences, these key concepts and theories came to discovery using the scientific method.

Related Topics:
Theories - Science - Scientific method

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Natural sciences generally, and physical sciences particularly, tend to be more reductionist sciences, in contrast to the more holistic social sciences; i.e., physical science tends to explain the whole system from the system's fundamental parts, whereas social science tends to explain the whole system as more than the mere sum of its fundamental parts.

Related Topics:
Reductionist - Holistic - Social sciences

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The key concepts and theories of physical science are taught from early childhood and provide the grounding for our common-sensical understanding of the universe.

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Astronomy

Astronomy is the science of celestial bodies and their interactions in space. Its studies includes the following:

Related Topics:
Astronomy - Science - Celestial bodies - Space

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• The life and characteristics of stars and galaxies.
• Origins of the universe. Physical science assumes a physical cosmology that centers on the Big Bang as the commonly accepted scientific theory of the origin of the universe.
• A heliocentric solar system. Ancient and primitive cultures saw the earth as the center of the solar system or universe (geocentrism). In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus advanced the ideas of heliocentrism, recognizing the sun as the center of the solar system.
• The structure of the solar system, planets, comets, asteroids, and meteors.
• The shape and structure of Earth (roughly spherical, see also Spherical Earth).
• Earth in the Solar System.
• Time measurement.
• The composition and features of the Moon.
• Interactions of the Earth and Moon.

(Note: Astronomy should not be confused with astrology, which assumes that people's destiny and human affairs in general are correlated to the apparent positions of astronomical objects in the sky -- although the two fields share a common origin, they are quite different; astronomers embrace the scientific method, while astrologers do not.)

Related Topics:
Astrology - Scientific method

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Chemistry

Chemistry is the science of matter mainly at the micro-level. Its studies include the following:

Related Topics:
Chemistry - Science - Matter

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• Atomic theory.
• Principles of quantum mechanics.
• The discovery and classification of pure elements.
• Dmitri Mendeleev's creation of The Periodic Table of Chemical Elements showing the relationship of chemical elements.
• Properties of groups, especially metals, and nonmetals.
• Water and its properties.
• Structure of the water molecule.
• Properties of water solutions, such as acids, bases, acid-base reaction theories, and salts.
• Chemical elements, chemical reactions, and chemical energy.
• Chemical bonds.
• Chemical formula based on chemical notation developed by Jöns Jakob Berzelius's.
• Chemical compounds.
• Chemical equations.
• Nuclear chemistry.
• The nature of the atomic nucleus.
• Characterization of radioactive decay, originally discoverd by Henri Becquerel.
• Organic chemistry, considered to have started in 1828 with the synthesis of urea by Friedrich Woehler.
• Hydrocarbons, (see also Gallery Hydrocarbons).
• Hydrocarbon derivatives.
• Organic chemistry functional groups.

Earth science

Earth science is the science of the planet Earth, the only known life-bearing planet. Its studies include the following:

Related Topics:
Earth science - Science - Earth - Life

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• Rocks and minerals.
• The water cycle and the process of transpiration.
• Freshwater, surface water, groundwater.
• Oceanography.
• Geology.
• Weathering and erosion.
• Soils and rocks.
• Earth's tectonic structure.
• Geomorphology and geophysics.
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• Characteristics of mountains and volcanoes.
• Characteristics and formation of fossils.
• Atmosphere of earth.
• Atmospheric pressure and winds.
• Evaporation, condensation, and humidity.
• Fog and clouds.
• Meteorology, weather, climatogy, and climate.
• Hydrology, clouds and precipitation.
• Air masses and weather fronts.
• Major storms: thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
• Weather forecasting.
• Major climate groups.

Physics

Physics is the science of nature in the broadest sense, dealing with the fundamentals of matter, energy, and the forces of nature governing the interactions between particles. Physics is sometimes said to be the "fundamental science" because the other natural sciences (biology, chemistry, geology, etc.) deal with particular systems that obey the laws of physics. For example, chemistry, the science of chemicals, is accurately described by principles of physics, such as quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.

Related Topics:
Physics - Science - Nature - Matter - Energy - Forces - Interactions - Particles - Natural sciences - Biology - Chemistry - Geology - Chemicals - Quantum mechanics - Thermodynamics - Electromagnetism

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• Describing and measuring motion.
• Newton's laws of motion.
• Forces, weight, and mass.
• Momentum and conservation of momentum
• The theory of gravity.
• Energy, work, and power.
• Motion, position, and energy.
• Energy forms
• Energy conservation, conversion, and transfer.
• Energy sources.
• Kinetic Molecular Theory.
• Phases of matter and phase changes.
• Temperature and thermometers.
• Energy and heat
• Heat flow: conduction, convection, and radiation.
• The Three Laws of thermodynamics.
• The principles of waves and sound.
• The principles of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetism.
• The principles, sources, and properties of light.