Physical Science: A Branch of Natural Science
Definition: Physical science is a branch of natural science that focuses on non-living systems. It encompasses various disciplines, including physics, astronomy, chemistry, and Earth science. Unlike life science (e.g., biology), physical science investigates matter, energy, and the interactions between these elements.
Branches: - Physics: Studies matter and its motion, as well as concepts such as energy and force. - Astronomy: Examines celestial objects, their evolution, and phenomena beyond Earth's atmosphere. - Chemistry: Examines the composition, structure, and properties of matter, particularly focusing on chemical reactions and bonding. - Earth Science: Encompasses disciplines such as geology, meteorology, and hydrology, exploring Earth's physical environment, including its atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. - Other Disciplines: Materials science, computer science, and materials science are also fields within physical science, emphasizing the interplay between physical properties and materials or computational systems.
General Principles: - Principles of Physics: Describe the fundamental laws governing matter, energy, motion, and the universe's structure. - Principles of Astronomy: Explore celestial phenomena, including stellar evolution, solar system formation, and the origins of the universe. - Principles of Chemistry: Explain chemical bonding, energy changes, and the properties and interconversions of substances. - Principles of Earth Science: Investigate Earth's dynamic processes, geological structures, and climate systems.
Notable Scientists: - Physicists: Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking - Astronomers: Galileo Galilei, Nicolaus Copernicus, Carl Sagan, Neil deGrasse Tyson - Chemists: Antoine Lavoisier, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin - Earth Scientists: Charles Darwin, Alfred Wegener, James Hutton