Physics is the basic physical science. It deals with such things as mechanics (force, energy, motion), sound, heat, light, electricity, and atomic structure In college physics we are concerned not so much with what is so but rather with why it is so. In fact, physics has been described as the science of “why things work.” It is studied mainly by three groups: (1) premedical students: (2) students of engineering, physics and other sciences; and (3) those who study it for its cultural value.

All professional students, however, should be impressed with the fact that their technical knowledge rapidly goes out of date, not because it is wrong but because new and better methods and techniques are developed... Over a working life of perhaps for years, you must learn a great deal more after you leave college than before. Therefore, as an undergraduate, be sure to learn how to learn by yourself.

As it is evident that anyone can find all the facts of physics merely by going to the public library, a student is hardly equipped if he knows only facts. If he knows principles he is somewhat better off but not likely to be worth much to an employer, who can learn the principles himself by a little study. The methods and techniques are about equally important and can be acquired only by practice on typical problems.

The real purpose of taking first-year physics is not to ‘get’ facts and principles, although these are essential, but to train one’s thinking through practice on simple problems so that later on more difficult problems and situations can be approached effectively. For this reason discussion questions, homework problems, and practice on similar problems are very important aspects of first-year physics.

Why Study Physics?
Physics is used for many different applications in areas such as space, science, microelectronics, environmental science, transportation, medical technology, computer technology and many more. There are always diverse and beneficial projects for a physicist to research.

Physics Improves Health
In medical technology, positron emission tomography (PET) lets neurologists see how energy flows inside the brain to see where problems could be occurring.

Physics Connects the World
The telecommunications industry, including the development of the Internet, has benefited from physics research in telecommunications from radio waves to fiber optic cable.

Physics Improves Technology
The computing industry depends on physics research in semiconductors and magnetism in order to build processors and disks ever smaller and denser.

Physics Drives Progress
Physics research benefits the transportation industry in everything from what materials to build cars of to how to build efficient engines to navigating using the Global Positioning System.

Physics Clears the Air
Physics is used in environmental science to both detect problems and to build systems that are better for the environment with technologies such as solar power and plasma physics.

Physics Fills the Home
Many consumer goods developed from physics research. CDs are possible because of refinements in laser technology. Many household gadgets have microprocessors such as microwaves and phones.

Physics Designs the Future
Research in materials physics has led to many innovations in the substances from which products are made. One now-common material is Teflon®. Other substances are now used to make many items from sports equipment to earthquake-resistant buildings.

Physics Launches New Business
The Defense Department started the Global Positioning System (GPS), which uses 24 satellites. GPS was possible because of the atomic clock. Now GPS technology has many uses from being used in road maps in cars to perceiving shifts in the tectonic plates.

Source: 1996 Annual Report from the American Institute of Physics