What is Physical Science?
Physical science is a science that includes an organised study of the world that is inorganic in nature; it differs from the study of the organic world, which involves the domain of biological science. Physical science generally contains four broad areas that are physics, chemistry, astronomy and the Earth sciences. Hence, physical science is an extensive term encircling several branches of natural science that study non-living systems. The foundation of physical science lies upon the vital theories and concepts, each of which defines and models a certain characteristic feature of nature and its behaviour.
The Different Types of Physical Science
Physical science is fundamentally a part of science that deals with inert or lifeless natural objects. Further divided into various domains and subdomains, there exist four fundamental types of physical science. The main types of physical science are Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, and Earth Sciences.
Physics
Since the primary goal of physics is to understand the behaviour of the universe and physical science is one of the fundamental disciplines in science, this science deals with the phenomenon of different objects and their physical properties. Physics is a widespread branch of science that is focused on different properties of matter, nature and as well as energy.
The subject of physics is basically an amalgamation of several ancient sciences, that is, optics, mechanics, electricity, heat, magnetism, acoustics, and the physical properties of matter. The combination was based in large part on the acknowledgement that the diverse forces of nature are connected, and because they are different forms of energy, they are interconvertible in nature. Furthermore, physics is classified into modern physics and classical physics, and each of the branches deals with different aspects of physics.
Chemistry
Chemistry is a branch of science that specifically deals with the elements, formation of atoms, ions, molecules and compounds. Basically, chemistry is a science that lies in-between physics and biology. Chemistry is also associated with the composition, properties, structure, behaviour and also changes that elements and compounds experience during reaction with other substances. There is a uniform boundary between physics and chemistry. As physics is concerned with the behaviour and structure of atoms and their components, on the other hand, chemistry deals with the reaction of molecules and their properties. But, both of these subjects eventually depend on atoms and energy, especially heat; hence, there is a strong connection between physics and chemistry. Physicists are concerned about the general properties shared by all matter, while chemists tend to be more interested in the specific properties of different elements and compounds.
Astronomy
Astronomy is the science of the entire universe beyond Earth. Basically, it is the scientific study associated with matter and universal phenomena and outer space. The following mentioned parameters of the celestial bodies are involved in astronomy:
Energy, distribution, positions, composition, motion, dimensions, and evolution of celestial bodies.
Apart from several astronomies of the ancient civilisations, astronomy can also be defined as a system of knowledge of celestial phenomena. This part of science also includes gross physical properties of Earth, such as its mass and rotation and its interaction with other bodies in the solar system.
Earth Sciences
This is the branch of science that is related to the study of solid Earth, the air that surrounds the Earth, the water, the atmosphere, the soil, and the weather. Earth sciences cover the atmospheric, hydrological and geological sciences with the objective of understanding the evolution and present features of Earth. Some of the branches like Geodesy, Geophysics, Ecology, Geology, Glaciology, Geochemistry, Physical geography, Geoscience thermosphere, and Atmospheric sciences are also covered under earth sciences. Also, Earth’s magnetic field, Earth interior structure and Earth’s atmosphere are also included in it.
Importance of Physical Science in our Daily Life
There are a few points that show the importance of physical science in our daily life and that are given below:
- The study of physical science develops or grows the necessary intellect that we need to evolve as human beings to know the planet and outer space. To be more precise, it sharpens the skills of experimentation and exploration of the other dimensions of the universe.
- In technological advancement, physical science plays an important role. A lot of modern inventions and accessibility are possible because of physical science.
- Science helps us understand and appreciate nature and art, specifically in things like symmetry and proportion.
- A physical science education allows us to analyse, think and diagnose things more critically.
