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Physics was transformed by the discoveries of quantum mechanics, relativity, and atomic theory at the beginning of the 20th century. Physics today may be divided loosely into classical physics and modern physics. Detailed articles on specific topics are available through the Outline of the history of physics.
Physics is the scientific study of matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. [1] Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines. [2] [3] [4] A scientist who specializes in the field of physics is called a physicist.
Entries beginning with "History of " or "List of " are ordered by the rest of their names. (For example: History of special relativity is listed under "S".) For information on how to reorder entries to adhere to this rule, please see this Categorization FAQ entry and/or view the relevant [[Category:...]] tag in one of the reordered entries.
This timeline lists significant discoveries in physics and the laws of nature, including experimental discoveries, theoretical proposals that were confirmed experimentally, and theories that have significantly influenced current thinking in modern physics. Such discoveries are often a multi-step, multi-person process.
A golden age of physics began with the simultaneous discovery of the principle of the conservation of energy in the mid-19th century. [7] [8] A golden age of physics was the years 1925 to 1927. [9] The golden age of nonlinear physics was the period from 1950 to 1970, encompassing the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam–Tsingou problem and others. [10]
History of nuclear physics – history of the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. History of nuclear fusion – mechanism powering stars and modern weapons of mass destruction. History of electromagnetism – electricity, magnets, and light from radio waves to gamma rays
This branch of physics focuses on understanding and studying the physical properties and transitions between phases of matter. Condensed matter refers to materials where particles ( atoms , molecules , or ions ) are closely packed together or under interaction, such as solids and liquids .
In the history of physics, the concept of fields had its origins in the 18th century in a mathematical formulation of Newton's law of universal gravitation, but it was seen as deficient as it implied action at a distance. In 1852, Michael Faraday treated the magnetic field as a physical object, reasoning about lines of force.