Physics is the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, pressure, gravity, and electricity, and the way that they affect objects.
...the laws of physics.
...experiments in particle physics.
physics in British English
(ˈfɪzɪks)
noun(functioning as singular)
1.
the branch of science concerned with the properties of matter and energy and the relationships between them. It is based on mathematics and traditionally includes mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics, and heat. Modern physics, based on quantum theory, includes atomic, nuclear, particle, and solid-state studies. It can also embrace applied fields such as geophysics and meteorology
2.
physical properties of behaviour
the physics of the electron
3. archaic
natural science or natural philosophy
Word origin
C16: from Latin physica, translation of Greek ta phusika natural things, from phusis nature
physics in American English
(ˈfɪzɪks)
noun
1. Obsolete
natural philosophy
2.
a.
the science dealing with the properties, changes, interactions, etc. of matter and energy in which energy is considered to be continuous (classical physics), including electricity, heat, optics, mechanics, etc., and now also dealing with the atomic scale of nature in which energy is considered to be discrete (quantum physics), including such branches as atomic, nuclear, and solid-state physics
b.
a specific system of physics
3.
a book or treatise on any of these
plural noun
4.
physical properties or processes
the physics of flight
Word origin
transl. of L physica, physics < Gr (ta) physika (lit., natural things), name given to the physical treatises of Aristotle: see physic
Examples of 'physics' in a sentence
physics
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
That's not nearly as true in physics or chemistry.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her love of engineering was inspired by her father, a maths, physics and computer science teacher.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They imply that the world of physics and astronomy is inexhaustible.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Nuclear physics has been untouched by advances in knitting.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Studying physics or history is different from preparing to work in the building trade or hairdressing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Here are some of the best quantum physics jokes doing the rounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The biggest jump is in applications to be chemistry and physics teachers.
The Sun (2012)
In capacity he pursued his interest in high-energy nuclear physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Physics is much less messy than chemistry, the latter being essentially the art of making paint.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He had a very broad range of research interests in the field of high-energy nuclear physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is the combination of a lot of crafts and husbandry, chemistry and physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
For example, he did not yet know the problems that nuclear physics has brought us.
Christianity Today (2000)
Green technology is based on biology, grey technology on physics and chemistry.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The scientific revolution consisted of new knowledge, particularly about physics and astronomy but also about biology and chemistry.
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
We expect sciences like physics and chemistry to tell us basic, reliable things about the structure of the physical world.
Salkie, Raphael The Chomsky Update - Linguistics and Politics (1990)
But biology, physics and chemistry?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The numbers studying physics, biology and chemistry all rose by just over 6 per cent.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
At that time, quantum physics says, the cat is both alive and dead.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That may be true of physics or philosophy, but it's a feeble defence elsewhere and it needs to be challenged.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Leaving aside what life might be if it were not itself, let's examine the huge problem that is quantum physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But I've always been interested in science and physics.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Q WHAT made you interested in physics and astronomy?
The Sun (2010)
There is no record of a US case fitting this description, although it is a common thought experiment on online quantum physics forums.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
physics
British English: physics /ˈfɪzɪks/ NOUN
Physics is the scientific study of forces such as heat, light, sound, pressure, gravity, and electricity.
...the laws of physics.
American English: physics
Arabic: فِيزْياء
Brazilian Portuguese: física
Chinese: 物理学
Croatian: fizika
Czech: fyzika
Danish: fysik
Dutch: natuurkunde
European Spanish: física
Finnish: fysiikka
French: physique science
German: Physik
Greek: φυσική
Italian: fisica
Japanese: 物理学
Korean: 물리학
Norwegian: fysikk
Polish: fizyka
European Portuguese: física
Romanian: fizică
Russian: физика
Latin American Spanish: física ciencia
Swedish: fysik
Thai: วิชาฟิสิกส์
Turkish: fizik
Ukrainian: фізика
Vietnamese: vật lý
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'physics'
physic
a medicine or drug, esp a cathartic or purge
physicked
a medicine or drug, esp a cathartic or purge
physicking
a medicine or drug, esp a cathartic or purge
physics model
a variety of software illustrating the movement of objects in reality , used by designers of video games to improve verisimilitude
atomic physics
the branch of physics concerned with the structure and behaviour of atomic nuclei
health physics
the branch of physics concerned with the health and safety of people in medical, scientific , and industrial work, esp with protection from the biological effects of ionizing radiation
nuclear physics
the branch of physics concerned with the structure and behaviour of the nucleus and the particles of which it consists
quantum physics
particle physics
Particle physics is the study of the qualities of atoms and molecules and the way they behave and react .
theoretical physics
the description of natural phenomena in mathematical form
high-energy physics
→ particle physics
solid-state physics
the branch of physics concerned with experimental and theoretical investigations of the properties of solids, such as superconductivity , photoconductivity , and ferromagnetism
Culver's root
a tall North American scrophulariaceous plant, Veronicastrum virginicum, having spikes of small white or purple flowers
Chinese translation of 'physics'
physics
(ˈfɪzɪks)
n(u)
物理学(學) (wùlǐxué)
subject word lists
See Branches of physicsSee Physics termsSee Physicists