Physics - Introduction

• Physics is one of the most significant disciplines of natural science, which describe the nature and properties of matters.
• The term ‘physics’ is derived from the Ancient Greek word i.e. ‘phusik?’ meaning ‘knowledge of nature’.
• Physics is the branch of natural science that studies the nature and properties of matter and energy.
• The significant subject matter of physics includes mechanics, heat & thermodynamics, optics, sound, electricity, magnetism, etc.
• Development of Physics also makes significant contributions in the field of technologies. For example, inventions of new technology such as television, computers, cell phone, advanced home appliances, nuclear weapons, etc.

Development of Physics

• During the ancient period, the development of physics took place with the development of astronomy.
• However, during the medieval period, a notable work of the Arab writer and scientist Ibn Al-Haitham revolutionized the concept of physics.
• Ibn Al-Haitham had written a book in seven volumes namely “Kitab al-Mana?ir “also known as “The Book of Optics.”
• In this book, Ibn Al-Haitham disprove the ancient Greek concept of vision and introduced a new theory.
• Ibn Al-Haitham had also introduced the concept of the pinhole camera.
• During the late medieval period, Physics became a separate discipline of the natural science.
• In making physics as a separate discipline, the major contributions were given by the European scientists.
• These modern European scientists had been introduced different concepts of physics and discovered and invented many new technologies.
• For example, Copernicus replaced the ancient view of geocentric model and introduced the heliocentric concept; Galileo invented the telescopes, Newton discovered the laws of motion and universal gravitation, etc.
• The era of modern physics came with the discovery of quantum theory by Max Planck and theory of relativity by Albert Einstein.
• After development of modern physics, the ear of applied physics commenced where emphasis is given on ‘research’ on a particular use.
• The particle physicists have been consistently designing and developing the high energy accelerators, detectors, and computer programs.
• Nuclear physics is another branch of modern physics that studies the constituents and interactions of the atomic nuclei.
• The most widely known inventions and applications of nuclear physics are the generation of nuclear power and the development of nuclear weapons technology.
• At present, the physic scientists are working on the concept of high-temperature superconductivity.

Biophysics

• Biophysics is a fascinating term for the biology researchers as well as for the physics researcher, as it creates bridge between these two subjects of science.
• Biophysics (also known as biological physics) is basically an interdisciplinary approach to study the biological systems. It is uses physics technology to understand the biological systems.
• Likewise, biophysics integrates all levels of biological organization, i.e. from molecular level to organismic and population level.
• In 1892, first time Karl Pearson used the term ‘Biophysics.’

Subject Matter of Biophysics

• Biophysicists study the life (basically human life); starting from the cellular organs (such as ribosome, mitochondria, nucleus, etc.) to organisms, and their environment.
• With the advancement of technology, the scientists and researchers of both the disciplines (namely Biology and Physics) started exploring a different level of life to understand how actually biological system works.
• The biophysicists largely research on the following types of questions −

  How do the cells of nervous system communicate?

  How and why do viruses invade cells?

  What is the functionality of protein synthesis?

  How do plants harness sunlight to make their food?

Advantages of Biophysics

• The study of life at molecular level helps to understand many phenomena of a human body including various diseases and their treatment.
• Biophysics helped to understand the structure and function of DNA.
• The study of biophysics helps to understand the various elements of bio-chemistry.

• Biophysics also help to understand the structure and various functionality of protein.

Nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology is the science of management and manipulation of atoms and molecules to design a new technology.
• Nanotechnology is the supramolecular technology, which means, it is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular or supramolecular scale.
• Interestingly, one nanometer (nm) is equal to one billionth, or 10−9, of a meter.
• The concept and idea of nanotechnology original discussed first time in 1959 by Richard Feynman, the renowned physicist.
• Richard Feynman in his talk “There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom,” described the feasibility of synthesis via direct manipulation of atoms.
• However, in 1974, the term "Nano-technology" was first used by Norio Taniguchi.

Major fields of Research

Following are the major fields in which nanotechnology is being researched −

• Advance computing − Developing super computer
• Electronics − developing conductors and semi-conductors
• Medicines − Developing technology to treat cancer (especially breast cancer)
• Textile Engineering − Nanofabrication, etc.

Application of Nanotechnology

Following are the major application of nanotechnology −

• Manufacturing of lifesaving medical robots
• Making available the networked computers for everyone in the world
• Plant networked cameras to watch everyone’s movement (very helpful for the administrative service and maintaining the law and order.
• Manufacturing untraceable weapons of mass destruction.
• Swift inventions of many wonderful products useful in everyday life.
• Likewise, the molecular technology has range of potentials that benefit to humankind; however, at the same time, it also brings severe dangers. Untraceable weapon of mass destruction is an ideal example of its deadliness.

Implication of Nanotechnology

• Every coin has two faces, similarly, the application of nanotechnology at industrial scale i.e. manufacturing nanomaterials might have negative implications on human health as well as on the environment.
• The workers who especially work in such industry where non materials are used, are more vulnerable, as they inhale airborne nanoparticles and nanofibers. These Nano materials may lead to a number of pulmonary diseases, including fibrosis, etc.

Neurophysics

• The branch of medical physics that studies the nervous system, such as brain, spinal cords, and nerves, is known as neurophysics.
• The researchers of neurophysics research the basic physical basis of the brain to understand its different functionality.
• Neurophysicists also study the cognitive process of a human being.
• The term ‘neurophysics’ was originally taken from Greek term namely ‘neuron’ meaning "nerve" and ‘physis’ meaning ‘nature,’ or ‘origin.’ So, neurophysics is basically concerned with the study of the workings of the nervous system.
• Furthermore, the integrity of neural physics also postulates that the whole universe is in living, but in a way that is beyond the conception of biological organisms.

Neurophysics Therapy

• Neurophysics therapy is highly sophisticated exercise-based method of treatment. Such technique treats a wide range of diseases and its successful rate is also high.
• Some of the significant diseases that can be treated through neurophysics therapy are listed below −

  Arthritis

  Athletic performance

  Metabolic disorders

  Rehabilitation

  Bipolar disorder

  Migraine

  Chronic pain

  Motor neuron disease

  Degenerative disorders

  Depression (clinical; reactive)

  Muscular dystrophy

  Drug addiction

  Epilepsy

  Osteoarthritis

  Parkinson’s disease

  Vestibular disorders

  Hereditary spastic paraplegia, etc.

• Furthermore, the practice of neurophysics facilitates us to remain healthy and function better in everyday life, as it provides the technique i.e. how to disperse stress evenly in your body and not allowing it to become isolated.

Measurement Units

The following table illustrates the major measuring units in physics −