Physics

Physics (from the Greek, φυσικός (phusikos), "natural", and φύσις (phusis), "nature") is the science of the natural world in the broadest sense, dealing with matter and energy and the fundamental forces of nature that govern the interactions between particles; it was called natural philosophy until the late 19th century. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena spanning all length scales, from the sub-nuclear particles of which all ordinary matter is made (particle physics) to the material Universe as a whole (cosmology).

Future directions

Main article: unsolved problems in physics.

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Research in physics is progressing constantly on a large number of fronts, and is likely to do so for the foreseeable future.

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In condensed matter physics, the biggest unsolved theoretical problem is the explanation for high-temperature superconductivity. Strong efforts, largely experimental, are being put into making workable spintronics and quantum computers.

Related Topics:
High-temperature superconductivity - Spintronics - Quantum computer

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In particle physics, the first pieces of experimental evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model have begun to appear. Foremost amongst these are indications that neutrinos have non-zero mass. These experimental results appear to have solved the long-standing solar neutrino problem in solar physics. The physics of massive neutrinos is currently an area of active theoretical and experimental research. In the next several years, particle accelerators will begin probing energy scales in the TeV range, in which experimentalists are hoping to find evidence for the Higgs boson and supersymmetric particles.

Related Topics:
Standard Model - Neutrino - Mass - Solar neutrino problem - Particle accelerator - TeV - Higgs boson - Supersymmetric particles

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Theoretical attempts to unify quantum mechanics and general relativity into a single theory of quantum gravity, a program ongoing for over half a century, have not yet borne fruit. The current leading candidates are M-theory, superstring theory and loop quantum gravity.

Related Topics:
Quantum mechanics - General relativity - Quantum gravity - M-theory - Superstring theory - Loop quantum gravity

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Many astronomical and cosmological phenomena have yet to be satisfactorily explained, including the existence of ultra-high energy cosmic rays, the baryon asymmetry, the acceleration of the universe and the anomalous rotation rates of galaxies.

Related Topics:
Astronomical - Cosmological - Ultra-high energy cosmic rays - Baryon asymmetry - Acceleration of the universe - Anomalous rotation rates of galaxies

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Although much progress has been made in high-energy, quantum, and astronomical physics, many everyday phenomena, involving complexity, chaos, or turbulence are still poorly understood. Complex problems that seem like they could be solved by a clever application of dynamics and mechanics, such as the formation of sandpiles, nodes in trickling water, the shape of water droplets, mechanisms of surface tension catastrophes, or self-sorting in shaken heterogeneous collections are unsolved. These complex phenomena have received growing attention since the 1970s for several reasons, not least of which has been the availability of modern mathematical methods and computers which enabled complex systems to be modeled in new ways. The interdisciplinary relevance of complex physics has also increased, as exemplified by the study of turbulence in aerodynamics or the observation of pattern formation in biological systems. In 1932, Horace Lamb correctly prophesized:

Related Topics:
Complexity - Chaos - Turbulence - Water - Droplets - Surface tension - Catastrophes - Mathematical - Computers - Interdisciplinary - Relevance - Aerodynamics - Observation - Pattern - Formation - Biological - Horace Lamb

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I am an old man now, and when I die and go to heaven there are two matters on which I hope for enlightenment. One is quantum electrodynamics, and the other is the turbulent motion of fluids. And about the former I am rather optimistic.

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