What is the difference between regular physics and nuclear physics?

[Luanne]

nt

[Lori D.]

Check out www.physics4kids.com for some great info on physics written at a level *I* understand (LOL!).

But in brief, physics is the general study of matter, space and time, and the mechanics (the way things work) of the universe. Physics includes the topics of: motion; forces; heat; energy; light and optics; sound; electricity; and magnetism. There are numerous specialities within the overall science field of physics, including nuclear physics.

Nuclear Physics deals specifically with the nucleus of the atom, and so includes the topics of: the forces that keep the nucleus together; the parts of the atom, especially those within the nucleus; fusion and fission reactions; and radioactivity.

[GVA]

Nuclear physics is a subset of physics and is considered more of a graduate-level branch of study. My dad was a theoretical nuclear physicist and worked on some pretty heady stuff.

[jayfromcleveland]

My degree is in physics and here's my angle:

"Classical physics" began essentially with Isaac Newton and continued through scientists like Maxwell in the late 1800s. It presumes to study the properties of matter and energy and physical quantities that we can observe "in the real world" (i.e., on our level of perception). This research led to the modern fields of mechanics, electrical systems, and optics.

"Modern physics" began with workers in the late 1800s like the Curies who were observing phenomena such as radioactivity that appeared to violate the established laws of physics (e.g., conservation of energy). In studying the micro world, these workers were able to discover the nature of the atom and understand the counter-intuitive rules that govern the behavior of very small particles. This research led to modern chemistry, solid state semiconductors (e.g., computers) and of course, atom bombs and nuke plants.