Download PHY 107 Class 2

Physics: the basic subfields
• The fundamental physical laws
1. Classical mechanics (PHY 110, 220, 320, 380.03)
2. Electromagnetism
(PHY 111,112, 240, 340, 330)
3. Thermodynamics
(PHY 111, 325)
4. Quantum physics
(PHY 112, 284, 384, 355, 287)

(including atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, fundamental particles)
5. Statistical mechanics (PHY 111, 325, 380.03)
6. General Relativity
(PHY 207, 287: Indep. study!)
Physics: What’s that field?
• Determine the motion of spacecraft in the
solar system for NASA missions
– mechanics, general relativity
• Determine the motion of atoms in a solid
as it is heated
– quantum physics, mechanics, statistical
mechanics
• Explain how lightning is generated in a
thunderstorm
– electromagnetism, quantum mechanics,
statistical mechanics
Physics: What’s that field? 2
• Design a new high intensity blue laser
– quantum physics, electromagnetism
• Try to reduce the production of waste heat
in a diesel engine
– thermodynamics, statistical mechanics
• Derive the chemical law of 'detailed
balance' from the behavior of atoms and
molecules
– statistical mechanics
Physics: What’s that field? 3
• Measure the bending of light around the
planet Jupiter due to its gravitational field
– general relativity, electromagnetism
• Figure out how a particle-antiparticle pair
is created out of the vacuum in a particle
accelerator
– quantum physics, statistical mechanics, E&M
• Determine how far into the future the
weather can be predicted
– statistical mechanics, mechanics
• Understand the universe: all subfields
Methodologies of Physics
• Experimental Physics
– Observe nature (e.g. astro, geophysics)
– ‘Prod’ Nature into revealing secrets
(laboratory experiments)
• Theoretical Physics
– Build theoretical models of reality
– Solve models mathematically
• Computational Physics
– Build computational models of reality
– Solve models via computer simulation
Methodologies in ISU Physics Courses
• Experimental Physics
– PHY 110, 111, 112 lab
– PHY 270, 370 (advanced lab), 375
– PHY 311, 312 (PTE)
• Theoretical Physics
– PHY 217, 220, 240, 284
– PHY 325, 320, 340, 384, 355
• Computational Physics
– PHY 112 lab; projects in many courses
– PHY 318, 388, 390 (CompPhys)
– PHY 302 (PTE)