Zicoflex Physics is the
study of the
forces, the energy,
and the matter
that make up the
Universe and
everything in it.
APPLIED PHYSICS
uses the
discoveries of
physics in medicine,
engineering, and
other practical
situations.
WHAT DO
PHYSICISTS
STUDY?
Physicists
investigate what
atoms are made
of, how materials
behave, and the
forces that keep
planets in orbit.
They also study
heat, light, sound,
electricity, and
magnetism. They
try to discover the
basic laws that
matter and energy
obey. Discoveries
are usually written
down as scientific
EQUATIONS.
WHAT ARE
PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES?
Physical properties
are features that
can be measured
as numbers—
length, weight, and
volume, for
example. Other
physical properties
include hardness,
density, elasticity
(how flexible a
material is),
conductivity (how
well it conducts
electricity or heat),
and reflectivity
(how much light it
reflects).
HOW DO
PHYSICISTS
WORK?
There are two
main types of
investigation in
physics.
Experimental
physicists work in
laboratories,
designing
experiments to
measure physical
properties and
processes.
Theoretical
physicists work
with ideas,
equations, and
models to uncover
new laws of
physics that can
explain or predict
the results of
experiments.
BIOGRAPHY:
SIR ISAAC
NEWTON
English, 1642–
1727
Isaac Newton
made some of the
most important
scientific and
mathematical
discoveries of all
time. His laws of
motion and
theories of gravity
explain how all
objects from
atoms to planets
move. His theories
of optics (light)
show that white
light is made of a
spectrum of
colored light.
EQUATIONS
An equation is a
short way to write
a scientific idea. For
example, the
density of a
material is a
measure of how
tightly packed the
matter inside it is.
The equation
density=mass/
volume says that
an object’s density
is its mass divided
by its volume.
WHAT DO
EQUATIONS
TELL US?
An equation states
that the amount to
the left of the
equals sign is the
same as the
amount on the
right. Letters are
used for physical
properties—in the
equation F=ma, F is
force, and ma
means mass (m)
multiplied by
acceleration (a).
Some equations
show the results
of an experiment,
and others show
the predictions of a
theory.
APPLIED
PHYSICS
Applied physicists
use the basic laws
of the physical
world to design
useful tools and
techniques for
many areas of
science and
technology,
including medicine,
astronomy,
meteorology,
materials science,
and information
technology.
HOW IS
PHYSICS USED
IN MEDICINE?
Physics has been
used to develop
many valuable
medical
instruments and
techniques.
Scanners, X-ray
machines, and laser
surgery are based
on discoveries
made by physicists.
So are heart
monitors and
radiation
treatment for
cancer