Physics

Physics is the science of matter and its motion, as well as space and time. It uses concepts such as energy, force, mass, and charge. Physics is an experimental science, creating theories that are tested against observations. Broadly, it is the general scientific analysis of nature, with a goal of understanding how the universe behaves.

Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines, and through its modern subfield of astronomy, it may be the oldest of all. Experimental physics began in the Middle Ages and eventually emerged as a modern science during the early modern period. Those who work professionally in the field are known as physicists.

Today, physics is a broad and highly developed subject. Research is often divided into four subfields:

  • Condensed matter physics
  • Atomic, molecular, and optical physics
  • High-energy physics
  • Astronomy and astrophysics

Most physicists also specialize in either theoretical or experimental research, the former dealing with the development of new theories, and the latter dealing with the experimental testing of theories and the discovery of new phenomena. Despite important discoveries during the last four centuries, there are a number of unsolved problems in physics, and many areas of active research.

Did you find this review helpful?
187 Items found Print
101 Super Simple Science Experiments
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
21 Super Simple Physics Experiments
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
Accelerated Studies in Physics and Chemistry
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 9th-10th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$99.95
Accelerated Studies in Physics and Chemistry - Digital Resources
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 9th-10th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$57.95
Accelerated Studies in Physics and Chemistry - Solutions Manual
by John D. Mays
from Novare
for 9th-10th grade
in Novare Science & Math (Location: SCICUR-NOV)
$17.95
Adventures in Sound with Max Axiom, Super Scientist
Max Axiom, Super Scientist
by Emily Sohn, illustrated by Cynthia Martin and Anne Timmons
from Capstone Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Comic Books & Graphic Novels (Location: FIC-COMIC)
Adventures with Atoms and Molecules Book I
by Robert C. Mebane, Thomas R. Rybolt
from Enslow
for 4th-8th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
$8.00 (2 in stock)
Aerospace Engineering and the Principles of Flight
Engineering in Action
by Anne Rooney
from Crabtree Publishing
for 3rd-6th grade
in Flight & Aerodynamics (Location: SCI-PHYFA)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
All About Electricity
All About Books #23
by Ira M. Freeman, illustrated by Evelyn Urbanowich
from Random House
for 4th-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About Fire
All About Books #53
by Raymond Holden
from Random House
for 6th-10th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
$20.00 (1 in stock)
All About Light
by Melvin Berger, illustrated by Blanche Sims
from Scholastic Inc.
for 2nd-3rd grade
in Light & Sound (Location: SCI-PHY)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
All About Light and Radiation
All About Books #57
by Ira Freeman
from Random House
for 3rd-8th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About Sound and Ultrasonics
All About Books #37
by Ira M. Freeman
from Random House
for 4th-8th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
All About the Atom
All About Books #10
by Ira M. Freeman, illustrated by George E. Wilde
from Random House
for 3rd-6th grade
in All About Books (Location: VIN-ALL)
Atoms
Golden Books of Knowledge
by Jerry Korn
from Golden Press
for 1st-5th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
Attractive Story of Magnetism with Max Axiom, Super Scientist
Max Axiom, Super Scientist
by Andrea Gianopoulos, illustrated by Cynthia Martin and Barbara Schulz
from Capstone Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Comic Books & Graphic Novels (Location: FIC-COMIC)
Backyard Ballistics
by William Gurstelle
from Chicago Review Press
for 7th-Adult
in Dangerous Books for Kids (Location: SS-DAN)
Backyard Ballistics
by William Gurstelle
Second Edition from Chicago Review Press
for 7th-Adult
in Dangerous Books for Kids (Location: SS-DAN)
$16.95
Basher Science: Extreme Physics
Basher Science
by Simon Basher, Dan Green
8.4.2013 from Kingfisher
for 3rd-6th grade
in Basher Science (Location: SCI-BASH)
$9.99
Basher Science: Physics: Why Matter Matters
Basher Science
by Dan Green, Simon Basher
First Edition from Kingfisher
for 3rd-6th grade
in Basher Science (Location: SCI-BASH)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Be a Kid Physicist
by William R. Wellnitz
from McGraw-Hill
for 3rd-6th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
Bridges and Tunnels
Build It Yourself series
by Donna Latham, illustrated by Jen Vaughn
from Nomad Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Kids Explore Physics
by Robert & Elizabeth Ridlon
2e from Bright Ideas Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Christian Kids Explore (Location: SCICUR-CKE)
Christian Kids Explore Physics (old)
by Robert & Elizabeth Ridlon
from Bright Ideas Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Old Edition Science (Location: OSCI)
$17.50 (1 in stock)
Classical Acts and Facts Science Cards: Ecology, Astronomy, and Physics
from Classical Conversations
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Classical Acts & Facts Cards (Location: HISCUR-CC)
$28.20 $10.00 (1 in stock)
Color in Your Life
by Irving Adler, illustrated by Ruth Adler
from The John Day Company
for 5th-8th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Color Paddles (set of 18)
from Learning Resources
for Kindergarten-5th grade
in Light & Sound (Location: SCI-PHY)
$10.00
Color Paddles (set of 6)
from Learning Resources
for Kindergarten-5th grade
in Light & Sound (Location: SCI-PHY)
$5.00
Complete Idiot's Guide to Physics
by Johnnie T. Dennis and Gary Moring
for 9th-Adult
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
Conceptual Physics
by Paul Hewitt
11th edition from Pearson Education
for 12th-Adult
in Miscellaneous Science Curriculum (Location: SCICUR-MISC)
Concerning the Nature of Things
by Sir William Bragg
from Dover Publications
for 5th-Adult
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
Crash Course in Forces and Motion with Max Axiom, Super Scientist
Max Axiom, Super Scientist
by Emily Sohn, illustrated by Steve Erwin and Charles Barnett III
Revised from Capstone Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Comic Books & Graphic Novels (Location: FIC-COMIC)
Discovering Atomos
by Jen Greenholt
3rd edition from Classical Conversations
in Classical Conversations (Location: CUR-CC)
$12.00
Discovering Atoms, Molecules, and Matter
Great Science Adventures
by Dinah Zike & Susan Simpson
from Common Sense Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
DK Eyewitness: Electricity
DK Eyewitness Series
by Steve Parker
from DK Publishing
Science Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Electricity & Magnetism (Location: SCI-PHY)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
DK Eyewitness: Energy
by Jack Challoner
from DK Publishing
for 4th-6th grade
in Energy, Forces & Motion (Location: SCI-PHY)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
DK Eyewitness: Light
DK Eyewitness Series
by David Burnie
from DK Publishing
Science Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Light & Sound (Location: SCI-PHY)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
DK Findout! Engineering
by Emily Hunt
from DK Publishing
for 1st-4th grade
in How Things Work (Location: SCIREF-HOW)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
DK See For Yourself: Energy
DK See For Yourself
by Chris Woodford
from DK Publishing
for 3rd-6th grade
in Energy, Forces & Motion (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.00 (2 in stock)
E=mc2 Picture Book of Relativity
by Gerald Kahan, illustrated by Charles Prodey
from Tab Books
for 9th-Adult
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Edison
by Torben Kuhlmann, Translated by David Henry Wilson
from NorthSouth
for 2nd-6th grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$18.66
Einstein's Theory of Relativity
by Max Born with the collaboration of Gunther Leibfried and Walter Biem
2022 Reprint from Dover Publications
for 10th-Adult
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Einstein's Universe
by Nigel Calder
from Viking Press
for Adult
in History of Science & Mathematics (Location: SCI-HIS)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Electricity and Magnetism
Usborne Understanding Science
by Eliot Humberstone, Paul-Francis Law & Peter Adamczyk
from Usborne
for 3rd-7th grade
in Clearance: Science & Health (Location: ZCLE-SCI)
$2.50 (2 in stock)
Electricity and Magnetism
by Peter Adamczyk, Paul Francis law
from Usborne
for 4th-8th grade
in Electricity & Magnetism (Location: SCI-PHY)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Energy
by Chris Woodford
from DK Children
for 4th-6th grade
in Energy, Forces & Motion (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Energy
Build It Yourself
by Kathleen M. Reilly
from Nomad Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Energy, Forces & Motion (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.00 (2 in stock)
Energy Makes Things Happen
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, illustrated by Paul Meisel
from HarperCollins
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
Energy Questions & Answers Book
by Anthony Klemm
from The Good and the Beautiful
for 2nd-4th grade
in GATB Science & Health (Location: CUR-GABSc)
Energy, Forces & Motion
Usborne Internet-Linked Library of Science
by Alastair Smith and Corinne Henderson
from Usborne
for 3rd-8th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Everyday STEM Science: Physics
by Dr. Shini Somara and Rona Skene, illustrated by Luna Valentine
KiwiCo from Kingfisher
for 3rd-6th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Explore Light and Optics with 25 Great Projects
from Nomad Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Light & Sound (Location: SCI-PHY)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Exploring Creation with Advanced Physics - Textbook
by Jay Wile
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 12th grade
in Apologia Exploring Creation (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$71.20
Exploring Creation With Chemistry & Physics
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$44.00 $32.00 (2 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Chemistry & Physics - MP3 CD Audio Book
by Jeannie Fulbright
from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 3rd-6th grade
in Apologia Young Explorer (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$24.00
Exploring Creation With Physical Science - Textbook
by Vicki Dincher
4th edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 8th-9th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Apologia Exploring Creation (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$74.40
Exploring Creation With Physical Science - Textbook (really old)
by Jay Wile
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 8th-9th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Apologia Science (Old Versions only) (Location: OSCI-AEM)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Physics - Textbook
by Jay Wile
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 11th-12th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Apologia Exploring Creation (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$45.00 (3 in stock)
Exploring Creation With Physics - Textbook
by Jay Wile
2nd edition from Apologia Educational Ministries
for 11th-12th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Apologia Exploring Creation (Location: SCICUR-AEM)
$71.20 $45.00 (1 in stock)
Exploring the World of Physics
Exploring Series
by John Hudson Tiner
from Master Books
Non-fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP)
$15.19
Exploring the World of Physics - Questions, Reviews, & Tests (old)
by Cooper Boldrick
from Memoria Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Old Edition Science (Location: OSCI)
$4.00
Exploring the World of Physics - Set
Exploring Series
by John Hudson Tiner
Non-fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP)
$29.27
Exploring the World of Physics - Supplemental Student Questions
by Cooper Boldrick
2nd edition from Memoria Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP)
$6.20
Exploring the World of Physics - Teacher Key & Tests
by Cooper Boldrick
2nd edition from Memoria Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP)
$9.25
Fabric of the Cosmos
by Brian Greene
from Vintage Books
for Adult
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
First Book of Electricity
by Sam & Beryl Epstein, illustrated by R.G. Amann
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in First Book series (LBP reprints) (Location: SCI-CM1ST)
$13.99
First Book of Sound
by David C. Knight
from Living Book Press
for 4th-6th grade
in First Book series (LBP reprints) (Location: SCI-CM1ST)
$12.99
Focus On Elementary Physics - Laboratory Workbook (old)
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
Focus On Middle School Physics - Teacher's Manual
by Rebecca W. Keller
from Gravitas Publications, Inc.
for 5th-8th grade
in Real Science-4-Kids (old editions) (Location: OSCI-RS4K)
$4.00
For the Love of Physics
from Free Press
for 7th-Adult
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$19.99
Forces Make Things Move
Lets-Read-and-Find-Out Science Stage 2
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, illustrated by Paul Meisel
from HarperCollins
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
Fun with Magnets Kit
from Patch Products
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Electricity & Magnetism (Location: SCI-PHY)
God's Design for the Physical World - Student Book
by Debbie & Richard Lawrence
Master Books Edition from Master Books
for 4th-8th grade
in Master Books God's Design (Location: SCICUR-MB)
$43.19 $35.00 (1 in stock)
God's Design for the Physical World - Teacher Guide
by Debbie & Richard Lawrence
Master Books Edition from Master Books
for 4th-8th grade
in Master Books God's Design (Location: SCICUR-MB)
$34.39
Gravity
by Jason Chin
from Roaring Brook Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$18.99
Gravity at Work and Play
by Sune Engelbrektson, illustrated by Eric Carle
from Holt, Rinehart and Winston
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Gravity is a Mystery
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science level 2
by Franklyn M. Branley, Illustrated by Edward Miller
from HarperCollins
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
Great Physicists from Galileo to Einstein
by George Gamow
from Dover Publications
Biography for 9th-Adult
in History of Science & Mathematics (Location: SCI-HIS)
$16.95
History of the Atomic Bomb
by Michael Blow
from American Heritage Publishing Co.
for 6th-10th grade
in American Heritage Junior Library (Location: VIN-HIS)
How and Why Wonder Book of Electricity
by Jerome J. Notkin and Sidney Gulkin, illustrated by Robert Patterson and Charles Bernard
from Wonder Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in How and Why Wonder Books (Location: VIN-H&W)
How and Why Wonder Book of Magnets and Magnetism
by Martin L. Keen, illustrated by George Zaffo
from Wonder Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in How and Why Wonder Books (Location: VIN-H&W)
How and Why Wonder Book of Magnets and Magnetism
by Martin L. Keen, illustrated by George Zaffo
from Wonder Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in How and Why Wonder Books (Location: VIN-H&W)
How and Why Wonder Book of Sound
by Martin L. Keen, illustrated by George Zaffo
from Wonder Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in How and Why Wonder Books (Location: VIN-H&W)
How Do Airplanes Fly?
Ask Isaac Asimov
by Isaac Asimov and Elizabeth Kaplan
from Gareth Stevens Publishing
for 2nd-4th grade
in How Things Work (Location: SCIREF-HOW)
How Edison's Lamp Helped Light the West
by John Dierdorff
from Pacific Power & Light
for Adult
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
How We Hear
by Judith Fryer, illustrated by George Overlie
from Medical Books for Children
for 2nd-4th grade
in Vintage Science & Math (Location: VIN-SCI)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Hyperspace
by Michio Kaku
from Anchor Books
for Adult
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
Illuminating World of Light with Max Axiom, Super Scientist
Max Axiom, Super Scientist
by Emily Sohn, illustrated by Nick Derington
from Capstone Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Comic Books & Graphic Novels (Location: FIC-COMIC)
Illustrated Dictionary of Physics
by Chris Oxlade, Corinne Stockley, Jane Wertheim
from Usborne
for 5th-9th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
Introduction to Energy (old)
by Mindi Eldredge
from The Good and the Beautiful
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Old Edition Science (Location: OSCI)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
James Clerk Maxwell and Electromagnetism
Immortals of Science
by Charles Paul May
from Franklin Watts
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS)
Janice VanCleave's Energy for Every Kid
Janice VanCleave's Science for Every Kid Series
by Janice VanCleave
from John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Energy, Forces & Motion (Location: SCI-PHY)
Janice VanCleave's Engineering for Every Kid
by Janice VanCleave
from Jossey-Bass
for 3rd-6th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Janice VanCleave's Magnets
by Janice VanCleave
1st edition from Wiley-Interscience
for 6th-10th grade
in Electricity & Magnetism (Location: SCI-PHY)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Janice VanCleave's Physics for Every Kid
Janice VanCleave's Science for Every Kid Series
by Janice VanCleave
from John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.00 (2 in stock)
Junior Science Book of Magnets
by Rocco V. Feravolo, illustrated by Evelyn Urbanowich
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-8th grade
in Electricity & Magnetism (Location: SCI-PHY)
$8.99
Kingfisher Flight
by Ian Graham
from Kingfisher
for 3rd-6th grade
in Oversized Science Books (Location: SCI-OVER)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Learning About the Way Things Move
by Heidi Gold-Dworkin & Robert K. Ullman
1st edition from McGraw-Hill
for Preschool-3rd Grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Life of Fred: Elementary Physics
from Polka Dot Publishing
for 7th-9th grade
in Life of Fred Math (Location: MAT-FRED)
$19.00 (1 in stock)
Life of Fred: Pre-Algebra 0 with Physics
from Polka Dot Publishing
for 7th-9th grade
in Life of Fred Math (Location: MAT-FRED)
$39.00 $26.00 (2 in stock)
12