Welcome

to
Learning Module 1
Physics and Its
Branches
 Module Learning Outcomes
After studying the module, you should be able to:
1. appreciate the role of physics in psychology and in society;
2. show significant knowledge and understanding on the concepts,
principles and ideas related to physics and its branches;
3. apply the steps in the conversion of units in measurements;
4. define and identify the different laboratory devices that can be
used to study physics.

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 PHYSICS FOR
PSYCHOLOGY
In this module, we will study physics
beginning with its role or importance in society
and in the field of phsychology, its definition,
branches, and measurements. Since physics is a
laboratory science, safety measures in the
laboratory and laboratory apparatuses and their
uses are also included in the study.
 Importance of Physics in Psychology

Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Psychologist is the one

who studies normal and abnormal mental states, emotional, social, cognitive
processes and behavior by:
A. EXPERIMENTATION
B. OBSERVING
C. INTERPRETING
D. RECORDING
 What is Physics?
Physics is a branch of science which deals
with matter and its relation to energy. It involves
the study of physical and natural phenomena around
us.
 What are the Branches of Physics?
The study of physics has many branches:
C
lassic  Astrophysics
al ph
ysics
M h y s ics
oder  Biop
n phy n ics
s i cs c h a
N  Me
uclea cs
r phy u sti
s i cs  Aco
A
tomi
c phy pti c s
sics O s
 Ge a m ic
ophysic ody n
s The rm

 Classical Physics
This branch of physics deals with matter and energy,
and is mainly concerned with the laws of motion, gravitation,
kinetic theory and thermodynamics.
In classical physics, matter and energy are considered
as separate entities.
Sir Isaac Newton formulated the
three laws of motion.

James Clerk Maxwell is a founder

of kinetic theory of gases and made
fundamental contributions to the
development of thermodynamics
 What are the Three Laws of Motion?
First Law: The Law of Inertia
It states that a body remains at
rest or in uniform motion in a straight
line unless acted upon by a force.
Second Law: The Law of Acceleration
It states that the acceleration of
an object as produced by a net force is
directly proportional to the magnitude
of the net force, in the same direction
as the net force, and inversely
proportional to the mass of the object.
Third Law: The Law of Action-Reaction
It states that when a force acts
on a body due to another body, then
an equal and opposite forces act
simultaneously on that body.
 Modern Physics

This branch of physics deals with matter and

energy and is mainly concerned with the theory of
relativity and quantum mechanics.
In modern physics, matter and energy are not
considered as separate entities rather they are
considered different forms of each other.
The two pillars in modern physics:

Albert Einstein ‘s theory of relativity and Max Planck’s

quantum theory
 What Is the Theory of Relativity?
Albert Einstein's theory of relativity is one of the most important discoveries
of the contemporary age, and states that the laws of physics are the same for all
non-accelerating observers. As a result of this discovery, Einstein was able to confirm
that space and time are interwoven in a single continuum known as space-time.

Einstein's theory of relativity formula:

E = mc2
Where:
E --- energy (Joule)
m --- mass (kg)
C --- speed of light (m/s)
= 3x10 8 m/s
 What Is Quantum Theory?

This theory is discovered by Max Plank in 1900, quantum

theory is the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the
nature and behavior of matter and energy on the atomic and
subatomic level. The nature and behavior of matter and energy at
that level is sometimes referred to as quantum physics and
quantum mechanics.
Plank discovered that energy exists in individual units in the
same way that matter does, rather than just as a constant
electromagnetic wave. Thus, energy was quantifiable. The existence
of these units, called quanta, act as the basis of Plank's quantum
theory.
 Nuclear Physics
This branch of physics deals with the constituents,
structure, behavior and interactions of atomic nuclei. It is
used in power generation, nuclear weapons, medicines,
magnetic resonance, agricultural and industrial isotopes.
The history of nuclear physics begins with the
discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel in 1896.
 Atomic Physics
This branch of physics deals with the composition
of the atom apart from the nucleus and is mainly
concerned with the arrangement and behavior of
electrons in the shells around the nucleus.
The history of atomic physics is marked by the
discovery of spectral lines and the attempt to explain
them.
 Geophysics
This branch of physics deals with the study of Earth
and is mainly concerned with the shape, structure and
composition of the Earth. Geophysicists also study
gravitational force, magnetic fields, earthquakes and
magma.
 Biophysics

This branch of physics studies biological problems

and the structure of molecules in living organisms using
techniques derived from physics.
The discovery of the structure of DNA
(deoxyribonucleic Acid) by James Watson and Francis
Circk is one of the ground breaking achievements of
biophysics.
 Mechanical Physics
This branch of physics deals with the motion
of material objects under the influence of forces. It
is often called mechanics.
Mechanics can be broken down into sub-
branches:

Applied mechanics
Celestial mechanics


Continuum mechanics


kinematics


kinetics


Statics


Statistical mechanics


 Acoustics
This branch of physics studies how sound is
produced, transmitted, received and controlled. It also
deals with the effects of sounds in various media. The
word acoustics is derived from a Greek word akouen,
meaning to hear.
 Optics
This branch of physics studies electromagnetic radiation,
its interactions with matter, and instruments used to gather
information due to these interactions. It includes the study of
light. Optics began with the creation of lenses by the ancient
Egyptians and Mesopotamians..It was followed by the theories of
light and vision developed by ancient Greek Philosophers and the
development of geometric optics in the Greco-Roman world.
 Thermodynamics

This branch of physics deals with the study of heat

and temperature and their relation to energy and work.
The behavior of these quantities is governed by the four
laws of thermodynamics.
 The Four Laws of Thermodynamics:

 The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics states that if two systems are in thermodynamic equilibrium with
a third system, the two original systems are in thermal equilibrium with each other. Basically, if system A
is in thermal equilibrium with system C and system B is also in thermal equilibrium with system C, system
A and system B are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
The first law of thermodynamics is the energy conservation principle of mechanics. The energy can be
converted from form to another with the interaction of heat , work and internal energy, but it cannot be
created nor destroyed, under any circumstances..
 The second law of thermodynamics asserts that heat will not flow from a place of lower temperature
to one where it is higher without the intervention of an external device.
 The third law of thermodynamics states that the entropy at the absolute zero of temperature is zero,
corresponding to the most ordered possible state.
 Astrophysics
This branch of physics deals which is concerned with
the study of universe (stars, galaxies, and planets) using
the laws of physics. The word astrophysics is a combination
of two Latin-derived words: astro, which means star and
phisis, which means nature.
How is Physics Related to other Subjects?

Physics a n d Mathematics
Physics and Biology

Physics and Chemistry

Physics and Religion

Physics and Geography

P h y s i c s a n d Te c h n o l o g y
PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS

Physics relates strongly with mathematics. Many physics

concepts are expressed mathematically.
PHYSICS AND BIOLOGY

Knowledge of lenses in physics is used in making

microscope used in study of cells in biology. Physics formulas
are used in calculation of magnification by microscopes. The
knowledge of levers helps to explain locomotion in Biology.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY

Physics has helped in explaining forces within atoms and

therefore atomic structure. It is this structure of the atom that then
determines the reactivity of the atom as explained in chemistry.
PHYSICS AND RELIGION

Orderliness of systems in the universe can be

traced back to the Creator. Many wonders of creation
include the anomalous expansion of water, the
rainbow.
PHYSICS AND GEOGRAPHY

Accurate use of instruments and physics concepts can

establish weather patterns and explain formation of rainfall,
pressure variations. Use of magnetic properties of lodestone
and other materials help navigators to determine direction.
 In medicine
PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGY

X-rays, lasers, scanners which are applications of physics are

used in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
 PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGY
In communication
Satellite communication, internet, fiber optics are applications
of internet which requires strong foundation in physics.
 PHYSICS AND TECHNOLOGY
In industrial application

In the area of defense, physics has many applications:

war planes, laser-guided bombs which have high level accuracy.
In entrainment industry, knowledge of physics has use in mixing
various colors to bring out the desirable stage effects.
 Some of the Laboratory Devices and their Uses

There are many laboratory devices used in

Laboratory experiments in Physics. Some of these
are triple beam balance, meter stick, air track
apparatus, triple beam balance, force table,
vernier and micrometer calipers, resistor,
capacitor, ammeter, power supply, voltmeter and
multi-tester, all with their own uses and coming
from different sizes. Knowing the proper use will
ensure safe laboratory practices.
 Triple beam balance

 The triple beam balance is used to measure masses very precisely.

 Meterstick
 A meter stick is a large ruler used for measuring size or
distance using the metric scale. The measurements provided
on a meter stick are in centimeters and millimeters.
 Spring Balance

 A spring balance is used to measure the object’s

weight both in air and in water.
 Micrometer Caliper

 instrument for making precise linear measurements of dimensions

such as diameters, thicknesses, and lengths of solid bodies.
 Vernier Caliper
 This instrument may be used to measure outer dimensions of
objects (using the main jaws), inside dimensions (using the smaller
jaws at the top), and depths (using the stem).
 Linear Air track Apparatus
 An air track is an experimental apparatus that allows the study of
motion with minimal interference by frictional forces. It is connected to
an air blower, consist of a track with many small holes through
which air is blown continuously.
 Force Table
 A force table is a common physics apparatus that allows us to
manipulate and measure the effects of vector quantities.
 Power Supply

 A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to

an electrical load. The primary function of a power supply is to convert
electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and
frequency to power the load.
 Multitester
A multimeter or multitester, also known as
VOM, is a test tool used to measure two or more
electrical values—principally voltage (volts),
current (amperes) and resistance (ohms).

 It is a standard diagnostic tool for technicians in

the electrical or electronic industries.
 Ammeter
 is a measuring instrument used to measure the
current in a circuit.
 Voltmeter

 is a measuring instrument used to measure electrical

potential difference between two points in an electric circuit.
 Resistor
 Resistors are electronic components whose main purpose is to help
control the amount of current in a circuit. Their property is that of
resistance; a high resistance means a lower current flow, and a low
resistance means a higher current flow.

Capacitor
Capacitors is a basic storage device to store electrical
charges and release it as it is required by the circuit.
 If you have some
questions concerning the
concepts in the module,
please bring them up with
your professor through the
INBOX on your Canvas.
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