Physics is everywhere in our lives. It explains things as simple as why things move, to more complex things like how the sun produces heat and light. If you have trouble keeping up with how physics is behind all these, you might need some A level physics tuition!
But apart from just explaining natural phenomena, physics has also come a long way to being involved in our everyday lives in the form of modern technology. If you’re wondering how this is so, read on to find out more!
Electricity
Electricity powers so much of our lives, from our lights to computers. If you have been paying attention in physics classes, you should know that electricity is possible due to principles involving potential difference and the movement of negatively charged electrons.
It’s strange to think that electricity is a natural form of energy, but humans only learnt how to harvest it about a hundred years ago. This is only possible through the work of physicists who worked hard to study about electricity and find ways to generate and transport electricity. So, don’t take your television, phone, and everything electric-powered for granted!
Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy may make you think of nuclear bombs. One of the most deadly weapons that humankind has created, nuclear bombs work through a process known as nuclear fission. The reaction of splitting apart heavy atoms releases a colossal amount of energy in the form of a deadly explosion.
However, apart from weapon-making, nuclear energy may well be on its way to being in our everyday lives. Physicists are on a race to be the first to find a feasible way to extract energy from nuclear fusion and produce a net gain in energy. Touted as a clean and limitless form of energy, many are optimistic that it can be an alternative energy source to electricity in the near future.
Health sector
If you think the medical field only has place for biology and chemistry, you can’t be more wrong. Physics has contributed widely to the medical field in terms of medical technology and equipment. For example, Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI makes use of magnetism to produce an image of the tissues of the body, and ultrasounds make use of high-frequency sound waves to explore the inside of the body. These all involve physics concepts such as sound waves, magnetism, and radiation.
Space Science
Space science is not just one field; rather, it includes astrophysics, astronomy, aerospace engineering, astrochemistry and astrobiology. Physics is heavily involved in astronomy to study objects in space because we cannot rely on close-up observations of outer space. Humans can only rely on information that we receive on earth, such as light, radiation, and observation of positions of objects. Adding to that, scientists make use of existing knowledge of what we have on earth to theorise about what the outer space is like.
As you can see, physics is found in our everyday lives, including the technology that we use each day. If you want to make use of your physics knowledge to make the world a better place, it’s time to get your physics up to par with some A level physics tuition!
