Outline of physical science

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Physical science is the study of physics and chemistry of nature.^{[citation needed]} From the materialist and functionalist viewpoints it overlaps the life sciences where ecology studies the evidences of historical facts or evolution. Natural sciences bridge the phenomena in the physical sciences to the noumenon in the life sciences. The following is presented as an overview and topical guide of these physical sciences.

General principles of the physical sciences

The foundations of the physical sciences rests upon key concepts and theories, each of which explains and/or models a particular aspect of the behavior of nature.

Basic principles of physics

Physics is with Mathematics and Chemistry one of the "fundamental science" because the other natural sciences (biology, geology, etc.) deal with systems that obey the laws of physics. The physical laws of matter, energy, and the forces of nature govern the interactions between particles (such as molecules, atoms, or subatomic particles). Some basic parts of physics are:

• Describing and measuring motion
  • Newton's laws of motion
  • Forces, weight, and mass
  • Momentum and conservation of momentum
• The theory of gravity
• Energy, work, and power
  • Motion, position, and energy
• Energy forms
  • Energy conservation, conversion, and transfer.
  • Energy source the transfer of energy from one source, to work in another.
• Kinetic molecular theory
  • Phases of matter and phase transitions
  • Temperature and thermometers
  • Energy and heat
  • Heat flow: conduction, convection, and radiation
  • The three laws of thermodynamics
• The principles of waves and sound
• The principles of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetism
• The principles, sources, and properties of light

Basic principles of astronomy

Astronomy is the science of celestial bodies and their interactions in space. Its studies includes the following:

• The life and characteristics of stars and galaxies
• Origins of the universe. Physical science uses the Big Bang theory as the commonly accepted scientific theory of the origin of the universe
• A heliocentric Solar System. Ancient cultures saw the Earth as the centre of the Solar System or universe (geocentrism). In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus advanced the ideas of heliocentrism, recognizing the Sun as the centre of the Solar System.
• The structure of solar systems, planets, comets, asteroids, and meteors
• The shape and structure of Earth (roughly spherical, see also Spherical Earth)
• Earth in the Solar System
• Time measurement
• The composition and features of the Moon
• Interactions of the Earth and Moon

(Note: Astronomy should not be confused with astrology, which assumes that people's destiny and human affairs in general are correlated to the apparent positions of astronomical objects in the sky -- although the two fields share a common origin, they are quite different; astronomers embrace the scientific method, while astrologers do not.)

Basic principles of chemistry

Chemistry, built upon concepts from physics, addresses phenomena associated with the structure, composition and energetics of matter as well as the changes it undergoes. Often known as the central science, chemistry connects the fundamental laws of physics to engineering and other natural sciences such as biology, earth science, astronomy and material science

Chemistry, the central science, partial ordering of the sciences proposed by Balaban and Klein.

• Physical chemistry
  • Chemical thermodynamics
  • Reaction kinetics
  • Molecular structure
  • Quantum chemistry
  • Spectroscopy
• Theoretical chemistry
  • Electron configuration
  • Molecular modelling
  • Molecular dynamics
  • Statistical mechanics
• Computational chemistry
  • Mathematical chemistry
  • Cheminformatics
• Nuclear chemistry
  • The nature of the atomic nucleus
  • Characterization of radioactive decay
  • Nuclear reactions
• Organic chemistry
  • Organic compounds
  • Organic reaction
  • Functional groups
  • Organic synthesis
• Inorganic chemistry
  • Inorganic compounds
  • Crystal structure
  • Coordination chemistry
  • Solid-state chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Analytical chemistry
  • Instrumental analysis
  • Electroanalytical method
  • Wet chemistry
• Electrochemistry
  • Redox reaction
• Materials chemistry

Basic principles of earth science

Earth science is the science of the planet Earth, the only identified life-bearing planet. Its studies include the following:

• The water cycle and the process of transpiration
• Freshwater, surface water, and ice
• Oceanography
• Geology
  • Weathering and erosion
  • Rocks
• Agrophysics
• Soil science
  • Pedogenesis
  • Soil fertility
• Earth's tectonic structure
• Geomorphology and geophysics
  • Physical geography
  • Seismology: stress, strain, and earthquakes
  • Characteristics of mountains and volcanoes
• Characteristics and formation of fossils
• Atmosphere of Earth
  • Atmospheric pressure and winds
  • Evaporation, condensation, and humidity
  • Fog and clouds
• Meteorology, weather, climatology, and climate
  • Hydrology, clouds and precipitation
  • Air masses and weather fronts
  • Major storms: thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes
  • Major climate groups
• Speleology
  • Cave

Notable physical scientists

• List of physicists
• List of chemists