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.

Branches

The physical sciences include:

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• Astronomy, the study of the universe beyond the atmosphere of the Earth.
• Chemistry, the science dealing with the composition of substances, their interactions with energy and each other.
• Many of the earth sciences, including:
• Geography, the broad study of physical, ecological and political variations across the Earth's surface.
• Geology, the study of the planetary structure of Earth and the physical processes which shape it.
• Hydrology, the study of the movement and distribution of water across the Earth's surface.
• Meteorology, the study of weather patterns and other atmospheric phenomena.
• Physics, the quantitative science dealing with matter and energy.