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Genevieve Zignego
Physics Final Paper
Dr. Hosmer
December 6, 2024

While physics is one of the three main sciences, not many people have a clear

understanding on what it is or how to define it. Many people would define it as how matter and

forces interact, but this is not very clear and could be applied to other sciences as well. A clear

understanding of physics is hard to grasp because it is the fundamental science and, in a way,

encompasses all the other domains while remaining distinct. However, physics can be clearly and

distinctly defined and also has many characteristics and attributes to support this definition. Once

defined, it is important to have a clear goal or purpose for this branch of science. Many scientists

are directed towards the practical application of physics or discovering a singular law to describe

all other laws. Any body of knowledge should have a purpose, even if it is just knowledge for the

sake of knowledge. Physics is a science that can be defined and then understood more thoroughly

through its specific attributes which assist in using it personally for some purpose or end.

The dictionary definition of physics is: “A science that deals with matter and energy and

their interactions.”1 This, like many other attempts, falls short in providing an essential difference

for physics. Unfortunately, all of the natural sciences (i.e. biology and chemistry) could also fall

into this definition. Provided in class was the definition of physics as: “The natural science that is

the search for more and more fundamental quantities in nature and the way they act and are

related through more and more fundamental and universal principles or laws.”2 This definition

notes that physics is fundamental and related to the universal laws of nature as can be described

through mathematical quantities (equations and functions). Physics is the fundamental science

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“What is Physics” powerpoint.
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“What is Physics” powerpoint.
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because it provides universal laws that govern how matter interacts and functions within other

areas of science. As Eugene Wigner states, “The laws of nature are what physics is,” and all

areas of science have to conform to these laws. It is its own area of pursuit but in its totality of

truth are laws that govern all other sciences. It is not only mathematical formulas that describe

actions but also abstract ideas and laws for application at different levels.

Not contained in the above definition are the many attributes of physics. The three main

characteristics are: fundamental (as discussed above), no-limits, and universal. The no-limits

description is connected to the idea that the principles of physics govern how matter works on an

atomic level all the way up to the largest masses across the universe. It is applicable on the

smallest scale to the largest scale and how they connect to explain interactions and principles.3

The universal attribute is connected to its fundamentality. They are universal because they are

objectively true, and can be proven so, and work throughout the entire universe. These laws are

also often described as simple, discoverable, subtle, mathematical, and beautiful. They are

“simple in pattern, complex in action,”4 meaning that the concepts themselves for the most part

make logical sense but the application is complex across the entire universe, integrated into

many different systems and relationships. They are discoverable because they are logical and

rational and man was made with a rational soul and a passion for discovery and knowledge. They

are not outside of our understanding and are meant to be discovered and used for our good.

Mathematical equations are the most common way that physics is generally expressed, and often

physics is stereotyped as the complicated “mathy” science with page long equations. While this

is true, physics also is very conceptual in reality but can be predicted mathematically. The final,

controversial characterization of physics is that it is beautiful. It is beautiful because of the

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“Simple, Fundamental, Universal” powerpoint.
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“Simple, Fundamental, Universal” powerpoint.
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“well-proportioned, well-balanced, concordance of several parts by which they integrate into a

whole.”5 There are many reasons why physics is beautiful, but the most notable is in its

symmetry. An objective beauty standard in all art is a sense of symmetry through exact mirroring

or through balance. Physics is symmetrical because all mathematical functions are fundamentally

symmetrical/balanced and also because these laws can be applied throughout the universe. If

anyone thinks that nature is beautiful, then the laws that explain it must also be beautiful. These

attributes reinforce the above definition and guide us towards an aim for this science.

There are many different purposes this body of knowledge can be directed towards. Many

physicists have the goal of using physics for a practical end or of the unification of all physical

laws under one law. William Rowan Hamilton states: “To discover laws of nature...seems to me

the great design and office of genuine physical science...to discover the secret unity and

constancy of nature amid its seeming diversity and mutability...” This is connected to the idea

that nature is simple and that there must be one law to describe it all. From the Big Bang Theory,

there is also an idea of a singular moment of creation from which all things were set in motion.

This fits in perfectly with the idea of the unity of nature and a singular fundamental law. As a

christian, I also believe in One God from whom all things are made and nature as an expression

of His characteristics and a way for us to know Him. He is the God of logic and power and unity

which is expressed through the laws of nature and possibly even a singular united law. While this

may be important to discover the unity of the physical laws, physics still remains a body of

knowledge that should be sought for its own sake. Because it is beautiful and has all the

attributes of God, much like philosophy or literature it is worth knowing in its own value. The

end of knowing physics can just be knowledge which is a noble end that will keep physics pure

and truthful. Having other ends in mind is important, but these can often mar the truth value of
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“Character: Beautiful: Part 2” powerpoint.
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physicists finding and enable them to be “lazy” or too efficient in discovering truth at the risk of

undermining their own discoveries. There are many important goals of physics, but its own value

and beauty should always guide these other ends.

Physics as the fundamental science that accounts for the way all other bodies of science

operate. In this way it is the most important for all scientists to have a broad understanding of to

apply to their individual fields. It is a science that is important not only for scientists to have

general knowledge of, but for all people. We all could benefit a lot practically if we knew about

practical applications of physics as well as intellectually to understand more abstract concepts. It

is a beautiful science that accounts the world as we experience it and the entirety of the cosmos.

We should never lose our sense of awe for this science as we are drawn to its beauty with the

additional gift of using it to make our everyday lives easier and more enjoyable.

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