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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Branches of Physics

Branches of Physics

In this article we will learn about the concepts of branches of physics, branches of physics with definition and examples, what are the 7 areas of physics and more.

Table of Content
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Physics is a branch of science that aims to develop and test physical universe hypotheses through experiments. The breadth of these theories varies, and they can be divided into numerous branches.

Classical mechanics is a theory of the physics of forces acting on bodies that includes solids, gases, and fluids as sub-fields. It is commonly known as “Newtonian mechanics” after Isaac Newton and his laws of motion. The classical approach is also provided, as defined by Hamiltonian and Lagrangian methods. It is concerned with particle mobility as well as the overall particle system.

Branches of physics

For those interested in pursuing a career in physics, there are numerous transdisciplinary subjects and disciplines to choose from. All fields of physics are listed below:

Classical Physics

Classical physics is one of the most popular fields of physics. It is largely concerned with several laws of motion and gravitation. These hypotheses were developed by Sir Isaac Newton and James Clark. The two theories are Maxwell’s kinetic theory and thermodynamic theory. The study of matter and energy is the subject of this branch of physics.The term “classical physics” refers to physics that predates 1900. Modern physics refers to everything that happened after that era, i.e. after 1900, and falls within the physics subject. In classical physics, energy and matter are addressed separately. Theories that are determined to be flawed in modern physics are automatically assumed to be part of classical physics, according to common belief.

Modern Physics

The two theories of relativity and quantum mechanics are at the heart of modern physics. The founders of this branch of physics were Albert Einstein and Max Plank. They were the first to propose relativity and quantum mechanics theories. Unlike classical physics, modern physics does not distinguish between energy and matter as separate things. They are simply referred to as the two different forms of each other here.

Nuclear Physics

The composition, structure, behaviour, and interactions of atomic nuclei are all studied in this discipline of physics. This branch of physics is not to be confused with atomic physics. The atom and its electrons are the subject of Latter’s research. In recent years, nuclear physics has evolved to be a very large field of study, with a far broader scope. This subject’s methodologies and principles are used in different academic and research fields. It’s used in nuclear weapons, magnetic resonance imaging, medicine, and industrial and agricultural isotopes, among other things.

Atomic Physics

Atomic physics is another branch of physics to consider. It is concerned with the atom’s makeup outside of the nucleus. It is largely concerned with the study and comprehension of electron behaviour in the shells surrounding the nucleus. Electrons, ions, and neutral atoms are all dealt with in this section of physics. The revelation that all matter is made up of atoms was one of the first and most important ventures into atomic physics. The discovery of spectral lines is linked to the commencement of atomic physics. This discovery paved the way for a whole new understanding of atom structure and organisation.

Mechanical Physics

This is one of the disciplines of physics dealing with the study of the motion of material objects and how forces affect them. Mechanics is another name for it. Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics are the two basic branches. The laws of motion of physical objects are studied in classical mechanics. It also takes into account the forces that cause motion. Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, is a field of physics that studies the behaviour of the tiniest particles, such as electrons.

Mechanics

Mechanics is a discipline of physics that studies the movement and motion of physical things while they are subjected to a force as well as when they are at rest. It investigates the connections between many notions such as force, matter, and motion. Forces acting on objects cause displacements or changes in the object’s location in relation to its surroundings. It investigates the laws of motion, gravitation, friction, displacement, and forces, energy, and power, among other topics.

Acoustics

Acoustics is the study of sound and is a branch of physics. It investigates mechanical waves travelling through various media such as gases, liquids, and solids. It focuses on the creation, control, transmission, reception, and impacts of sound waves. It investigates vibration, sound, ultrasound, and infrared.

Optics

The study of light and its properties is the subject of optics, a significant field of physics. The study of light’s behaviour, characteristics, interactions with matter, and changes in these behaviours and interactions is the focus of optics. The behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light is studied in this branch. Physical and Geometrical Optics are the two branches of the discipline. Geometrical focuses on light interactions with lenses, mirrors, and other devices, whereas physics is concerned with the nature of light and other properties.

Thermodynamics

Heat and other kinds of energy are the subject of thermodynamics, a branch of physics. It is concerned with the movement of energy from one form to another. It first appeared in the nineteenth century, when scientists were working on steam engines. The branch is built on the foundation of three thermodynamic laws.

Astrophysics

Astrophysics is a branch of physics that is very important. Space science is a branch of astronomy that focuses on the study of celestial objects and their composition using physical laws and principles to explain them. The study of astronomy and its subdivisions may be traced back to Greek thinkers such as Aristotle, who attempted to understand space and its constituents, but it was Galileo and Newton that revolutionised the field. Cosmology and planetary science are often referred to as related sciences of astrophysics because they are closely related.

The eight areas of physics are Classical Physics, Quantum Physics, Nuclear Physics, Atomic Physics, Geophysics, Biophysics, Mechanics, Acoustics.

Conclusion

Physics is a branch of science that aims to develop and test physical universe hypotheses through experiments. Classical physics is one of the most popular fields of physics. It is largely concerned with several laws of motion and gravitation. The two theories of relativity and quantum mechanics are at the heart of modern physics. Atomic physics is another branch of physics to consider. 

Acoustics is the study of sound and is a branch of physics. The study of light and its properties is the subject of optics, a significant field of physics. Heat and other kinds of energy are the subject of thermodynamics, a branch of physics.

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

Define branch of physics

Ans. The subjects studied within the purview of physics are referred to as branches of physics. Physics is a discipl...Read full

How many branches of physics?

Ans. Mainly Eight branches. Classical Physics. ...Read full

What is atomic physics?

Ans. The study of the structure of the atom and the properties of subatomic particles is referred to as atomic physi...Read full

What is modern physics?

Ans. In today’s world, modern physics is an attempt to comprehend the underlying processes of matter’s i...Read full

Ans. The subjects studied within the purview of physics are referred to as branches of physics. Physics is a discipline of science concerned with the study of the properties of matter and energy, as well as their interactions.

Ans. Mainly Eight branches.

Classical Physics.

Quantum  Physics.

Nuclear Physics.

Atomic Physics.

Geophysics.

Biophysics.

Mechanics.

Acoustics.

 

Ans. The study of the structure of the atom and the properties of subatomic particles is referred to as atomic physics

Ans. In today’s world, modern physics is an attempt to comprehend the underlying processes of matter’s interactions through the use of scientific and engineering methods and equipment. Modern physics, in its most literal definition, refers to the most up-to-date branch of science. In this sense, a considerable chunk of what is known as classical physics is actually contemporary.

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