Applications and influence

Applied physics is a general term for physics which is intended for a particular use. An applied physics curriculum usually contains a few classes from the applied disciplines, like chemistry, computer science, or electrical engineering. It usually differs from engineering in that an applied physicist may not be designing something in particular, but rather is using physics or conducting physics research with the aim of developing new technologies or solving a problem. The approach is similar to that of applied mathematics. Applied physicists can also be interested the use of physics for scientific research. For instance, people working on accelerator physics might seek to build better particle detectors for research in theoretical physics.

Physics is used heavily in engineering. Statics, a subfield of mechanics, is used in the building of bridges or other structures; the simple machines such as the lever and the ramp had to be discovered before they could be used; today, they can be taught to schoolchildren. The understanding and use of acoustics will result in better concert halls; similarly, the use of optics creates better optical devices. An understanding of physics makes for more realistic flight simulators, video games, and movies, as well as in forensic investigations (what do we know and when do we know it; what did the subject know and when did the subject know it).

Because of its historical relationship to the development of scientific method, physics reasoning can handle items which would ordinarily be mired in conundrums or uncertainty. For example, in the study of the origin of the Earth, one can reasonably model Earth's mass, temperature, and rate of rotation, over time. From these values, the chemical composition of Earth at differing epochs can be posited. Even if a precise linear timeline might be problematic, qualitative statements can then be made about the history of Earth, which are still founded in the laws of physics.

There are many fields of physics which have strong applied branches, as well as many related and overlapping fields from other disciplines that are closely related to applied physics.

Wikipedia.com