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📚 College Physics 2e
Chapters ▾
1 Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics2 Kinematics3 Two-Dimensional Kinematics4 Dynamics: Force and Newton's Laws of Motion5 Further Applications of Newton's Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity6 Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation7 Work, Energy, and Energy Resources8 Linear Momentum and Collisions9 Statics and Torque10 Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum11 Fluid Statics12 Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications13 Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws14 Heat and Heat Transfer Methods15 Thermodynamics16 Oscillatory Motion and Waves17 Physics of Hearing18 Electric Charge and Electric Field19 Electric Potential and Electric Field20 Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm's Law21 Circuits and DC Instruments22 Magnetism23 Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, and Electrical Technologies24 Electromagnetic Waves25 Geometric Optics26 Vision and Optical Instruments27 Wave Optics28 Special Relativity29 Quantum Physics30 Atomic Physics31 Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics32 Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics33 Particle Physics34 Frontiers of Physics

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics

A filament of gas resembles an enormous bubble or surface stretching across the entire image. Stars and smaller gas filaments are also visible in the background.
Figure 1.1 The laws of physics describe the smallest and largest forces and structures, such as the Veil Nebula, a supernova remnant from a star that was 20 times larger than our Sun. Stretching over 110 light years across, the spectacular image is created by the stellar explosion's blast wave impacting clouds of gas. Scientists use successive observations of the still-moving wave to learn about nebula formation in ways they can apply to other systems. The laws of physics are surprisingly few in number, implying an underlying simplicity to nature’s apparent complexity.The laws of physics describe the smallest and largest forces and structures, such as the Veil Nebula, a supernova remnant from a star that was 20 times larger than our Sun. Stretching over 110 light years across, the spectacular image is created by the stellar explosion's blast wave impacting clouds of gas. Scientists use successive observations of the still-moving wave to learn about nebula formation in ways they can apply to other systems. The laws of physics are surprisingly few in number, implying an underlying simplicity to nature’s apparent complexity. (credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage, and the Digitized Sky Survey 2)

What is your first reaction when you hear the word “physics”? Did you imagine working through difficult equations or memorizing formulas that seem to have no real use in life outside the physics classroom? Many people come to the subject of physics with a bit of fear. But as you begin your exploration of this broad-ranging subject, you may soon come to realize that physics plays a much larger role in your life than you first thought, no matter your life goals or career choice.

Adapted from College Physics 2e by OpenStax (openstax.org), licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Changes were made. License: CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0.