Physical World: Main Thrust in Physics

Physical World Physics - Ashutosh Garg
Physical World
Science is a systematic knowledge required through observations and experience, aimed at
understanding natural phenomena . The knowledge is used to predict and control the environment.
Scientific methods
1. Systematic observation
2. Controlled experiment
3. Qualitative and quantitative reasoning
4. Mathematical modeling
5. Prediction
6. Verification or falsification of theory
Science and technology
Science is the study of nature and Technology is application of science to practical problems.
Hypothesis
It is an assumption
It is a supposition without assuming that it is true.
For example Newton's law of gravitation.
Model - It is a theory proposed to explain an observed phenomenon.

Example - Bohr model of hydrogen atom,
Theory - It is mathematical Framework
Axiom or postulate - it is the truth which is self evident

● A Law can’t be proved.
Physics - It is the branch of science.
It is derived from the Greek word Fusis (Phusis) which means nature so physics is the study of
nature and natural phenomenon.
Main Thrust in physics
Unification - Explaining diverse physical phenomena in a few concepts and laws is unification.
Example - Newton's law of gravitation explains fall of Apple, motion of satellite and Planet.
Maxwell unified electromagnetism and Optics.
Reduction - It is deriving the properties of a bigger more Complex system from the properties of
its constituent simple parts.
Domains in physics
Macroscopic, microscopic and mesoscopic
Macroscopic domain - It includes the study of phenomena involving objects of finite sizes at
laboratory Terrestrial scale or even on astronomical scale. This is known as classical physics; it
includes mechanics, electrodynamics, optics and thermodynamics.
Microscopic domain - It includes atomic molecular and nuclear phenomenon which deals with
constitution and structure of matter at atomic and nuclear scale and their interaction with
elementary particles like electron proton etc.
This comes under Quantum theory
Mesoscopic physics - It deals with the domain intermediate between macroscopic and
microscopic.
It involves the study of a few tens or hundreds of atoms.
There are four fundamental forces in nature.

Gravitational Force
1. It is the force of mutual attraction between any two bodies due to their mass.
2. Magnitude of gravitational force is given by Newton's law of gravitation.
Properties of gravitational force

1. It is the weakest force in nature.
2. This force is always attractive.
3. They are Central forces.
4. They obey Inverse Square Law.
5. They are conservative forces i.e. work done is independent of path.
6. They are mediated by the particles called gravitons.
7. The force between two masses is independent of presence or absence of other bodies.
8. This force is independent of the medium in which the masses are kept.
Electromagnetic force
It is the force between charged particles
It includes electric and magnetic force.
Electrostatic force between two charges is governed by Coulomb's law.
Properties of electromagnetic force -

1. They are the strongest forces.
2. They may be attractive or repulsive.
3. They are Central forces.

4. They obey Inverse Square Law.
5. They obey Newton's third law i.e. they form an action reaction pair.
6. They are conservative forces.
7. They are radiated by particles called photons.
8. Force between two charges is independent of presence of or the absence of the other
charges.
9. This force depends on the medium example friction, normal reaction tension, spring force
etc.
Strong nuclear force -
It is the force which binds nucleons (protons and neutrons) in a nucleus.
properties of strong nuclear force
1. They are charge independent.
2. They act between proton - neutron, neutron - neutron and proton - proton pair with the
same magnitude.
3. They are the strongest fundamental force.
4. They can be attractive or repulsive.
Attractive 0.8 fm to 1 fm
Repulsive less than 0.8 fm
5. They are a non-Central force.

6. They are nonconservative forces.
7. They do not obey Inverse Square Law.
8. They are mediated by particle π mesons.
Weak nuclear force -
These are the forces between elementary particles of short lifetime.
It appears in some nuclear phenomena like β decay.
Properties of weak nuclear force
1. They exist between leptons - leptons and leptons - mesons and β particles and antineutrino.
2. It is the second weakest force.
3. They are mediated by Bosons.
4. They have the shortest range of force.
5. They are action reaction forces.
Forces Mediating particles Range Relative Strength
Strong Nuclear S Π Mesons 10-15 m 1
Electromagnetic Photons ∞ 10-2
Weak Nuclear Bosons 10-16 m 10 - 13
Gravitation W Gravitons ∞ 10-39

Conservation Laws in Physics
1. Laws of Conservation of Energy.

Total Energy in any process is always conserved, here energy word includes the energy
corresponding to mass given by the Equation
E = mc2.
2. Law of conservation of momentum -
Linear momentum of the system is conserved if external force on the system is zero.
3. Law of conservation of angular momentum.
Angular momentum of the system is conserved if net external torque on the system is
zero.
4. Law of conservation of charge -
Charge can neither be created nor be destroyed. It can only be transferred from one body
to another.
● Mass of a body Increases with mo is the rest mass.

speed. Mass is relativistic. Relativistic Kinetic Energy
K = (m - mo)c2

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Physical World Physics - Ashutosh Garg

Model - It is a theory proposed to explain an observed phenomenon.

Theory - It is mathematical Framework

Axiom or postulate - it is the truth which is self evident

There are four fundamental forces in nature.

Properties of gravitational force

Properties of electromagnetic force -

3. They are Central forces.

Repulsive less than 0.8 fm

5. They are a non-Central force.

Forces Mediating particles Range Relative Strength

Strong Nuclear S Π Mesons 10-15 m 1

Electromagnetic Photons ∞ 10-2

Weak Nuclear Bosons 10-16 m 10 - 13

Gravitation W Gravitons ∞ 10-39

1. Laws of Conservation of Energy.

● Mass of a body Increases with mo is the rest mass.

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