Outline of physical science
An organized overview of the sciences that study nonliving matter and energy, including their branches, central concepts, methods, and applications.
Matter: Anything that has mass and occupies space, composed of particles and fields. Its properties and transformations are central subjects across chemistry and physics.
Physics: The science of matter, energy, motion, forces, and the fundamental interactions of nature. It supplies broad principles used throughout the other physical sciences.
Scientific method: A systematic approach to investigating questions through observation, hypothesis testing, and revision. Physical science uses iterative testing to distinguish explanations from unsupported claims.
Thermodynamics: The study of heat, work, temperature, and energy transformations in physical systems. Its principles guide engines, refrigeration, and energy-conversion technologies.
Dark matter: Unseen matter inferred from its gravitational effects on galaxies and cosmic structure. Its nature remains unknown despite evidence from several astronomical observations.
Energy: A conserved physical quantity that can be transferred or transformed and enables physical change. Physical science tracks how energy moves and changes form in natural systems.
Chemistry: The science of substances, their composition, properties, reactions, and transformations. It explains how atomic and molecular structure produces material properties.
Measurement: The process of assigning quantities to properties by comparison with defined units. Reliable measurements make physical observations comparable and testable.
Electromagnetism: The study of electric and magnetic fields, charges, currents, and electromagnetic radiation. It underlies electric power, motors, communications, and much modern instrumentation.
Dark energy: The name for whatever drives the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. Its physical nature is unresolved in modern cosmology.