Physics

The theory of relativity explains how mass, energy, space, and time interact. Matter distorts space-time, and objects follow curved paths determined by this geometry. Special relativity and general relativity transformed modern physics and cosmology.

• Einstein theory of relativity
• Relativism
• Special relativity
• General relativity
• Cosmological studies

Radiation protection establishes principles and technologies to minimize the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. It ensures safety for workers, patients, and the public through shielding, monitoring, optimized exposure control, and risk evaluation.

• Traditional lead shielding
• Lead composite shielding
• Lead-free shielding
• Radiation therapy
• Diagnostic imaging

Quantum physics describes how matter and energy behave at microscopic scales. It interprets wave–particle duality, quantum fields, atomic structure, and the probabilistic nature of quantum measurements.

• Quantum realm
• Quantum field theory
• Quantum information science
• Quantum mechanics
• Quantum interference

Quantum science explores the behaviour of particles at atomic and subatomic scales and supports technologies such as quantum computing, encryption, simulation, and sensing. Quantum systems enhance precision in timekeeping, imaging, and secure communication.

• Quantum cryptography
• Quantum simulation
• Quantum metrology
• Quantum engineering
• Quantum sensing

Plasma science studies ionized gases and charged particle systems interacting with electric and magnetic fields. Plasma research advances fusion science, space physics, accelerators, materials processing, and clean energy technologies.

• Dipoles and monopoles
• Strength of magnetic field
• Permeability, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, diamagnetism
• Cause of magnetism
• Retentivity
• Inductance

Particle accelerators generate high-energy beams of charged particles for scientific research, medical applications, and industrial uses. Linear accelerators move particles in straight paths, while circular accelerators guide them around closed rings for collisions or fixed-target experiments.

• Electrodynamic particle accelerators
• Magnetic induction accelerators
• Linear accelerators
• Circular or cyclic RF accelerators
• Betatrons

Neutron scattering is a powerful tool for studying atomic-scale structure and dynamics in materials. Neutrons provide deep penetration, magnetic sensitivity, and wavelength properties ideal for analysing matter, enabling discoveries in materials science, chemistry, and condensed matter physics.

• Elastic neutron scattering
• Quasielastic and inelastic neutron scattering
• Spin-echo instruments
• Diffractometers
• Monochromators

Nanotechnology focuses on materials and devices at the nanometre scale. It drives innovation in physics, engineering, biomedical science, computing, transportation, and clean energy. Nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal alloys, and ceramics enable new functions and applications.

• Carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene
• Fullerene nanofibres
• Silica fumes
• Clay
• Metal and alloys
• Ceramics

Medical physics applies physical principles to healthcare and focuses on improving diagnosis and treatment using radiation, imaging systems, and measurement techniques. Research advances areas such as adaptive radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging, and radiation protection.

• Medical imaging physics
• Radiation therapeutic physics
• Nuclear medicine physics
• Health physics
• Non-ionizing medical radiation physics
• Physiological measurement

Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental forces and focuses on the interaction between electric and magnetic fields. Electronics deals with the controlled movement of electrons and includes branches such as analogue electronics, digital electronics, microelectronics, and embedded systems. Applied physics connects fundamental physical principles with real-world applications, influencing areas such as condensed matter, laser science, quantum electronics, optoelectronics, vacuum tunnelling, nondestructive testing, biophysics, accelerator science, semiconductor technologies, and space physics.

• Accelerator physics
• Acoustics
• Atmospheric physics
• Biophysics
• Brain–computer interfacing

Heavy-ion physics explores interactions involving heavy nuclei at high energies. It contributes to areas such as nuclear power, medical imaging, radiation therapy, materials modification, and archaeological dating. These studies help understand dense matter, quark–gluon plasma, and nuclear reaction mechanisms.

• High-density matter
• Ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions
• Quark–gluon plasma
• Rapidity and pseudo-rapidity
• Quark–gluon plasma density

High-energy nuclear physics investigates the behaviour of nuclear matter under extreme conditions by studying collisions and particle interactions at high energies. Research includes nuclear reactions, quark–gluon plasma studies, exotic states of matter, and the creation of heavy elements.

• Nuclear decay
• Nuclear fusion
• Nuclear fission
• Production of heavy elements
• Nuclear matter

Electromagnetism studies the combined behaviour of electric and magnetic fields, which form one of the fundamental interactions of nature. Electronics focuses on controlling electron flow using components and circuits in analogue, digital, microelectronic, and embedded systems.

• Dipoles and monopoles
• Strength of magnetic field
• Permeability, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, diamagnetism
• Cause of magnetism
• Retentivity
• Inductance

Condensed matter physics examines the physical properties of solids and liquids where particles interact collectively. It is closely linked to quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. Research in this field has enabled advances such as semiconductor devices, lasers, nanotechnology, and magnetic materials.

• Anderson impurity model
• Colloid vibration current
• Degenerate semiconductor
• Dynamic electrophoretic mobility
• Electric-field screening

Classical physics explores matter and energy at observable scales and treats space and time as independent. Modern physics examines extreme conditions and very large or very small systems where relativity and quantum behaviour dominate. Classical mechanics, optics, and thermodynamics differ from modern studies that include relativity, quantum mechanics, and nonlinear dynamics.

• Classical mechanics
• Classical electrodynamics
• Classical thermodynamics
• Special and general relativity
• Classical chaos theory and nonlinear dynamics

Molecular biophysics investigates the physical principles underlying biological molecules and processes. Researchers study interactions among DNA, RNA, proteins, and cellular pathways to understand structural dynamics, regulatory mechanisms, and physiological responses.

• Structural biophysics and protein dynamics
• Systems neuroscience
• Molecular microscopy and optical probes
• Cell signalling and cellular physiology
• Computational biology and genomics

Astrophysics studies celestial objects and cosmic phenomena using principles of physics. The field supports advancements in imaging systems, electronics, computing, communication satellites, solar technologies, and medical imaging. Although astrophysical discoveries may take time to reach daily life, their scientific and technological influence is profound.

• Radio astronomy
• Optical astronomy
• Infrared astronomy
• Ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray astronomy
• Cosmology

Astro-particle physics explores fundamental particles that originate from cosmic sources, blending principles of particle physics and astronomy. Cosmology studies the origin, structure, and evolution of the Universe. Together, they cover research areas such as high-energy cosmic rays, gamma-ray astronomy, neutrino physics, stellar evolution, galaxy formation, general relativity, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos.

• Dark matter
• Charged cosmic radiation
• Gamma-ray astronomy
• High-energy neutrino astrophysics
• Low-energy neutrino astrophysics

Atomic physics studies atoms as individual systems made of electrons and a nucleus, while molecular physics focuses on the physical behaviour of molecules. Optical physics explores the generation, manipulation, and detection of light across the electromagnetic spectrum. These three fields are closely linked through research on emission, absorption, scattering, laser development, spectroscopy, and the interaction of radiation with matter.

• Atomic nucleus
• Electromagnetic radiation
• Optical engineering
• Quantum optics
• Optical coherence tomography