phys·ics, the science of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. Areas of classical physics include: acoustics, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. Modern physics deals with the very large (astrophysics and gravitation), the very small (quantum mechanics) and those things that move relatively fast (the special theory of relativity). Areas of modern physics include: atomic and nuclear physics, cryogenics, condensed matter physics, high-energy physics, and plasma physics.

Answers to some common physics questions.

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