Physics theories are the foundation of our understanding of the universe. They explain the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of matter and energy. Here are some of the key theories in physics:
- Newton's Laws of Motion: These laws describe the relationship between the motion of an object and the forces acting upon it.
- Special Relativity: Proposed by Albert Einstein, this theory revolutionized our understanding of space and time.
- General Relativity: Another theory by Einstein, this one describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime.
- Quantum Mechanics: This theory explains the behavior of particles at the smallest scales.
For more information on physics theories, check out our Physics Resources.
Key Theories Explained
Newton's Laws of Motion
- First Law: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
- Second Law: The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.
- Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Special Relativity
Special relativity states that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and that the speed of light in a vacuum is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion.
General Relativity
General relativity is the theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915. It is the current description of gravitation in classical physics.
Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with phenomena on an atomic and subatomic scale, where the laws of classical physics no longer apply.
For a deeper understanding of quantum mechanics, you might want to read our Quantum Mechanics Guide.