Knowra Theoretical physics Theoretical physics Theoretical physics develops mathematical models and conceptual frameworks to explain and predict physical phenomena, often guiding experiments and interpreting their results.
Classical mechanics : The study of motion and forces using laws such as Newton’s laws of motion. Its laws provide a model of how mathematical principles describe physical motion.
Lagrangian mechanics : A formulation of classical mechanics based on a system’s Lagrangian and the principle of stationary action. It turns dynamical problems into variational ones and generalizes naturally to fields.
Quantum field theory : A framework combining quantum mechanics and special relativity in which fields and their excitations describe particles. It provides the mathematical basis for the Standard Model of particle physics.
Experimental physics : The branch of physics that investigates nature through measurement, observation, and controlled experiments. It tests theoretical predictions and provides findings that theories must explain.
Electromagnetism : The theory of electric and magnetic fields, charges, and electromagnetic waves. Maxwell’s equations exemplify how a compact mathematical framework unifies physical phenomena.
Hamiltonian mechanics : A formulation of classical mechanics using generalized coordinates, momenta, and a Hamiltonian. Its phase-space structure underlies statistical mechanics and quantum theory.
General relativity : Einstein’s theory of gravity, describing it as the curvature of spacetime produced by matter and energy. It predicts gravitational phenomena from planetary motion to black holes and gravitational waves.
Phenomenology (physics) : The practice of connecting theoretical models with experimental observations through quantitative predictions. It bridges abstract theory and data, especially in particle physics.
Thermodynamics : The study of heat, work, energy, and the macroscopic properties of physical systems. Its laws constrain theoretical models of energy and matter.
Perturbation theory : A collection of methods for approximating solutions by expanding around a solvable problem. It makes predictions possible when exact solutions to a model are unavailable.
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