Exploring the Physical Characteristics of the Universe - What is Physical Science?

Physical science is one of the so called "hard"presence. Heat energy can be used to transition
sciences. This simply means that it is one of thematter from ice to liquid to gas. Heat can also be
foundational sciences that can be studied using thetransitioned to mechanical energy to operate machines
scientific method and that can produce theories thatand to generate electricity.
are reproducible. Physical science is often referred toElectricity and Magnetism
as physics, and it is the study of the physicalWhile many topics within physics are addressed
properties, processes and phenomenon of the physicalindividually, electricity and magnetism are usually
world.covered together. This is because they are related to
Motionone another. For example, a magnetic field is motion
One of the science concepts that is studied in physicalcan create an electric current, just as an electric
science is motion. Motion is important to study becausecurrent can create a magnetic field. This is important to
it involves a number of remarkable physical processesremember when studying electricity and magnetism.
in order to take place. When studying motion you willForce
need to learn how to measure the motion in order toForce is a physical science concept that relates to the
describe it. Some of the measurements that can beability to do work or to accelerate an object in space.
used include speed and velocity.Force is measured in Newtons. Force is studied in
Energymany professional fields including physics, engineering
Energy is another science concept that is studied inand architecture.
physical science. The study of energy is going toWaves
cover many things including the various types ofWaves are more complex than students first realize.
energy, how energy is transformed from one form toWaves come in many different forms and each wave
another and how energy is transmitted from one placetype responds differently to their environments. When
to another. Energy studies can also examine differentdiscussing waves terms like frequency, amplitude,
sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energywavelength, troughs and crests are used. Some of the
and geothermal energy. This topic is also going to dealdifferent types of waves in the universe include sound
with energy sources of the future like fusion energy.waves, electromagnetic waves, light waves and
Matterradiation waves. Other subjects that are commonly
Matter is the physical manifestation of something thatdiscussed when studying waves include: lenses, color,
takes up space. When studying matter students willrefraction, prisms, interference, diffraction, lasers and
use descriptive qualities to explain the matter that theyresonance.
are studying. They will use measurements of weight,Conclusion
mass and dimensions in order to describe matter.Physical science is the science of the physical world. It
Heatis a necessary and important part of a comprehensive
Heat is one of the most interesting concepts to learnscience education. High school students that are
about in physics. Heat is unique in that it is a form ofinterested in attending a good college will need to take
energy that can give off light and that has a palpableat least one year of physics in high school.