Branches of Physics

Physics is the fundamental science that explores the nature, properties, and interactions of matter and energy. Over time, as our understanding of the universe has deepened, physics has branched into specialised fields to study different aspects of the physical world. Each branch focuses on specific phenomena, from the motion of objects and forces to the behaviour of atoms, light, and the cosmos. Understanding the various branches of physics helps students and researchers grasp how the universe works, apply scientific principles in technology, and solve real-world problems. In this article, we will explore the major branches of physics and their unique areas of study.

What is Physics?

Physics is considered to be one of the primitive subjects and academic disciplines to be discovered. It encompasses the study of matter, its motion and behaviour along with energy and force. As a vast discipline, it intersects with many different subjects and disciplines such as biophysics and quantum chemistry. Physics very often defines a wide range of principles and methodologies studied by other areas of science. It also suggests new areas of research for other academic fields, even mathematics and philosophy.

What are the Main Branches of Physics?

Physics is constituted of many interdisciplinary subjects and branches for those interested in making a career in this field. Here are all the branches of Physics:

• Classical Physics
• Modern Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Atomic Physics
• Geophysics
• Biophysics
• Mechanics
• Acoustics
• Optics
• Thermodynamics
• Astrophysics

Now, let’s get to know more about these varied specialisations of Physics:

Classical Physics

Among the popular branches of physics is classical physics. It primarily deals with different laws of motion and gravitation. These theories were conceptualised by Sir Isaac Newton and James Clark. They are Maxwell’s kinetic theory and the theory of thermodynamics. This branch of physics is concerned with matter and energy. Classical Physics can simply be termed as Physics, which dates back to 1900 and before. Everything that came under the discipline of physics after that era, that is, after 1900, is considered to be modern physics. In classical physics, energy and matter are dealt with separately. As a general belief, the theories which are termed invalid in modern physics are immediately considered to be a part of classical physics.

Modern Physics

Modern Physics is primarily centred around the two theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. Albert Einstein and Max Planck are the pioneers of this branch of physics. They were the first to propound the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Unlike the classical branch of Physics, the branch of modern physics doesn’t consider energy and matter as different entities. Here, they are only called the two different forms of each other.

Nuclear Physics

This is a branch of physics that is concerned with the constituents, structure, behaviour and interactions of atomic nuclei. This branch of physics is different from that of atomic physics. Later studies of the atom included its electrons. In contemporary times, nuclear physics has become a very broad area of study and has extended its scope manifoldly. Methodologies and principles of this subject are applied to other academic and research areas. It is used in power generation, nuclear weapons, magnetic resonance imaging, medicines, and industrial and agricultural isotopes.

Also Read: Basic Physics Formulas

Atomic Physics

Another branch of physics is Atomic physics. It is concerned with the composition of the atom apart from the nucleus. It is primarily concerned with studying and understanding the behaviour of electrons in the shells around the nucleus. This branch of physics deals with electrons, ions, and neutral atoms. Among the first and foremost forays into atomic physics was the recognition that all matter is comprised of atoms. The beginning of atomic physics is associated with the discovery of spectral lines. This discovery gave way to an entirely new understanding of the structure of atoms and their arrangement.

Mechanical Physics

This is one of the branches of physics that is concerned with understanding the motion of material objects and how they are influenced by forces. It is also simply called mechanics. It has two main branches: Classical Mechanics and Quantum Mechanics. Classical mechanics studies the laws of motion of physical objects. It also deals with the forces that cause the motion. On the other hand, quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that is primarily concerned with the behaviour of the smallest particles, like electrons.

Mechanics

Mechanics is a branch of physics that focuses on the movement and motion of physical objects under a force and when at rest. It studies the relationship between different concepts like force, matter and motion. Forces applied to objects result in displacements or changes in an object’s position relative to its environment. It studies the law of motion, gravitation, friction, displacement and concepts like force, energy and power. 

Acoustics

Acoustics is a branch of physics that studies sound. It studies the mechanical waves passing through different forms like gases, liquids and solids. It studies vibrations and focuses on the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound. It studies concepts like vibration, sound, ultrasound and infrasound. 

Optics

Optics is a significant branch of physics that studies light and its properties. Optics focuses on studying behaviour, properties of light, its interactions with matter and the changes in these behaviours and interactions. The branch studies the behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. There are two branches within the field, Physical and Geometrical Optics. Physical optics is concerned with the nature of light and other attributes, while geometrical optics focuses on light interactions with lenses, mirrors and other devices. 

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics concerned with heat and other forms of energy. It focuses on the transfer of energy from one form to another. It was introduced in the 19th century while scientists worked on steam engines. There are three laws of thermodynamics that are the foundation of the branch.  

Astrophysics

Astrophysics is an important branch of physics. Space science is a subset of astronomy that primarily studies celestial objects and their composition by applying the laws and principles of physics to explain the phenomenon. The study of astronomy and its branches can be dated back to Greek philosophers like Aristotle, who sought to study space and its components, but it was Galileo and Newton who transformed the tradition of astronomy and its study. The study of cosmology and planetary science is closely associated with astrophysics and is often referred to as a sister science.

Also Read: IGNOU MSc Physics Admission Details

Top Universities for Physics 2025

If you are planning to study physics on a higher level and work in the field of Physics, then there are a lot of universities in the world that offer undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD/Doctoral Degrees in Physics. Here’s a list of the top universities for physics, along with their QS World University Rankings by subject 2025.

University	QS World University Rankings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	#1
Harvard University	#4
University of Oxford	#3
Stanford University	#6
University of Cambridge	#5
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	#10
University of California- Berkeley	#12
ETH Zurich– Swiss Federal Institute of Technology	#7
Princeton University	#22
University of Tokyo	#21

Career Scope after Physics

Here are the branches of physics and career scope after studying these branches in the table below:

Branches of Physics	Careers
Classical Physics and Modern Physics	Scientist Consulting Physicist Technical Assistant Radiologist Assistant Lab Technician Supervisor Research Assistant Professor
Nuclear Physics	Professor Nuclear Physicist
Atomic Physics	Atomic physicist Molecular physicist
Geophysics	Geophysicist
Biophysics	Biophysicist
Mechanics	Rheologist
Acoustics	Acoustic Consultant Acoustician Acoustic Engineer
Optics	Optical and radio astronomer Optical astronomer Optical physicist Optical scientist
Thermodynamics	Thermodynamics scientist Thermodynamics physicist Thermodynamicist Product Development Scientist
Astrophysics	Galactic astronomer Cosmologists Galactic, planetary, solar, and stellar astronomer High-energy astrophysicist Planetary astronomer Radio astronomers

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