Physics is the systematic study of matter, energy, and their interactions. Its ultimate goal is the understanding of how the Universe works and involves the study of the very small, i.e., elementary particles and their fundamental interactions, and the astronomically large, i.e., stars, galaxies, and their dynamics. Physics progresses via tests, experiments, and the construction of theories to explain physical phenomena. Some of the field’s foundations are classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics.
The knowledge gained from our deeper understanding of how things work can be utilized to create new technological devices, gadgets, and instruments. Applied Physics is a category of physics that focuses on the creation of such new technologies, utilizing concepts and discoveries in physics. It builds on the basic and fundamental physics knowledge and uses that knowledge to invent and innovate. Topics include photonics, instrumentation, semiconductor device physics, and materials physics. In addition, the application of physics, including its methods and approaches, to other disciplines, including physics itself, can also be considered as applied physics. These include fields such as accelerator physics, geophysics, biophysics, and econophysics.
Engineering, in contrast, aims to develop specific practical applications from our understanding of how things work. Both engineering and applied physics are rooted in physics. However, the difference lies in their approaches to creating technologies. An engineer starts out with a particular practical application in mind and then utilizes physics to realize that application. An applied physicist, on the other hand, takes into account recently discovered physics and then explores their practical implications. Both approaches are necessary for technology to progress.
Categories of physics:
Experimental Physics - The construction of actual laboratory set-ups, the acquisition of data, and the statistical analysis of the resulting data to probe the properties and behavior of physical systems.
Theoretical Physics - The construction of a theoretical model to explain the properties and behavior of physical systems and predict how those systems will behave in specific situations.
Computational Physics - The utilization of computers to solve theoretical problems and simulate theoretical models in order to predict the properties and behavior of physical systems.
Applied Physics - The exploration of the implications of physics to create new devices, materials, processes, and technologies for practical use, as well as to aid in the search for new knowledge.
Observational Physics - The acquisition of data via observation of physical processes involving systems that are too large for the construction of experiments.
Physics Education - The investigation of methods to improve the instruction of physics to high school, college, and graduate students.
Common recommended references in physics subjects:
Classical Mechanics:
Intermediate:
D. Kleppner and R. Kolenkow, An Introduction to Mechanics.
J.R. Taylor, Classical Mechanics.
D. Morin, Introduction to Classical Mechanics.
Advanced Undergraduate:
S.T. Thornton and J.B. Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems.
T.W.B. Kibble and F.H. Berkshire, Classical Mechanics.
Graduate:
H. Goldstein, C. Poole, and J. Safko, Classical Mechanics.
J.V. Jose and E.J. Saletan, Classical Dynamics: A Contemporary Approach.
Electricity and Magnetism:
Intermediate:
E.M. Purcell and D.J. Morin, Electricity and Magnetism.
Advanced Undergraduate:
D.J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics.
J.W. Keohane and J.P. Foy, An Introduction to Classical Electrodynamics.
Graduate:
A. Zangwill, Modern Electrodynamics.
J.D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics.
Quantum Mechanics:
Advanced Undergraduate:
J.S. Townsend, A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics.
D.J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics.
D. Park, Introduction to the Quantum Theory.
D.A.B. Miller, Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers.
Graduate:
L.E. Ballentine, Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development.
J.J. Sakurai and J. Napolitano, Modern Quantum Mechanics.
R. Shankar, Principles of Quantum Mechanics.
S. Weinberg, Lectures on Quantum Mechanics.
Desk Reference:
C. Cohen-Tannoudji and B. Diu, Quantum Mechanics, Volumes 1, 2, and 3.
Statistical Mechanics:
Intermediate:
S.J. Blundell and K.M. Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics.
Advanced Undergraduate:
F. Rief, Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics.
F. Mandl, Statistical Physics.
D.V. Schroeder, Introduction to Thermal Physics.
C. Kittel and H. Kroemer, Thermal Physics.
Graduate:
R.K. Pathria and P.D. Beale, Statistical Mechanics.
J.D. Walecka, Introduction to Statistical Mechanics.
K. Huang, Statistical Mechanics.
L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz, Statistical Physics, Parts 1 and 2.
M. Kardar, Statistical Physics of Particles, and, Statistical Physics of Fields.
F. Schwabl and W.D. Brewer, Statistical Mechanics.
R.H. Swendsen, An Introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics.
Mathematical Methods:
Advanced Undergraduate:
M.L. Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences.
K.F. Riley, M.P. Hobson, and S.J. Bence, Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering.
G.B. Arfken, H.J. Weber, and F.E. Harris, Mathematical Methods for Physicists.
Graduate:
D. Babusci, G. Dattoli, S. Licciardi, and E. Sabia, Mathematical Methods for Physicists.
Desk Reference:
D. Zwillinger, Table of Integrals, Series, and Products.
Computational Physics:
Advanced Undergraduate:
N. Giordano and H. Nakanishi, Computational Physics.
M. Newman, Computational Physics.
A.J. Garcia, Numerical Methods for Physics.
H. Gould and J. Tobochnik, Statistical and Thermal Physics: With Computer Applications.
Graduate:
J.F. Boudreau and E.S. Swanson, Applied Computational Physics.
M.E.J. Newman and G.T. Barkema, Monte Carlo Methods in Statistical Physics.
W. Krauth, Statistical Mechanics: Algorithms and Computations.
J. Gubernatis, N. Kawashima, and P. Werner, Quantum Monte Carlo Methods.
S.E. Koonin, Computational Physics.
Desk Reference:
W.H. Press, S.A. Teukolsky, W.T. Vetterling, and B.P. Flannery, Numerical Recipes.
Condensed Matter Physics:
Intermediate:
S.H. Simon, The Oxford Solid State Basics.
Advanced Undergraduate:
M.A. Omar, Elementary Solid State Physics.
C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics.
Graduate:
M.P. Marder, Condensed Matter Physics.
S.M. Girvin and K. Yang, Modern Condensed Matter Physics.
N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics.
G. Grosso and G.P. Parravicini, Solid State Physics.
D.W. Snoke, Solid State Physics: Essential Concepts.
M. El-Batanouny, Advanced Quantum Condensed Matter Physics: One-Body, Many-Body, and Topological Perspectives.
Modern Physics:
Intermediate:
K.S. Krane, Modern Physics.
J.R. Taylor, C.D. Zafiratos, and M.A. Dubson, Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers.
R. Harris, Modern Physics.
Advanced Undergraduate:
B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain, Physics of Atoms and Molecules.
C.J. Foot, Atomic Physics.
W.N. Cottingham, Introduction to Nuclear Physics.
Graduate:
S. Weinberg, Foundations of Modern Physics.