Why Study Physics?

Why Study Physics?

God and Man God and Man • Adam and Eve were

created in the image of God

• Creation Mandate (Genesis 1:26, 28)

God and Man God and Man • First Commandment:

Love God• Second Commandment:

Love your neighbor

The Fallen WorldThe Fallen World• The Curse affected all of

Creation• The universe began to

deteriorate• Human depravity

RedemptionRedemption• A promise from God• Spiritual redemption• Physical redemption• Physics is a tool for

exercising dominion

What is Physics? What is Physics?

Science can refer to any body of knowledge gained from observing the natural

world as well as to the activities involved in acquiring scientific

knowledge.

Nature of Science Nature of Science • Concerned with observable

phenomena• Models: representations of

reality• The goal of a model is

workability, not accuracy.

Models Models • Conceptual models

• Mathematical relationships

• Numerical computer models

• Dominion modeling

A Working Definition of Science

A Working Definition of Science

“Science is the collection of observations, inferences,

and models produced through a systematic study

of nature...

A Working Definition of Science

A Working Definition of Science

“for the purpose of enabling humans to exercise good and wise dominion over God’s world. The word science is also used...

A Working Definition of Science

A Working Definition of Science

“to refer to the methods that produce the observations, inferences, and models.”

Science and Faith Science and Faith • What is a worldview?

A perspective from which a person observes and

understands the world

Science and Faith Science and Faith • What is a paradigm?

A set of assumptions, concepts, values, beliefs,

and practices that controls the way a person perceives

some aspect of reality

Science and Faith Science and Faith • Naturalistic paradigm

• Uniformitarianism—the present is the key to the past

• Rejects God as the Creator of the universe

Science and Faith Science and Faith • Christian Worldview

• God created the world for His glory

• This world is fallen• God is redeeming this

world to Himself

Science and Faith Science and Faith • Biblical paradigm

• Creation by an all-powerful God

• Arises from the Christian worldview

Theory Theory

a general or specific model that attempts to account for a set of related observations or

phenomena

Hypothesis Hypothesis • a temporary explanation for

a phenomenon• a starting point for further

investigation• structured so that it can be

tested

Law Law

models or describes an observed relationship among

phenomena or properties under specified conditions

Laws describe what happens.

Theories explain why it happens.

Kinds of ScienceKinds of Science• Empirical science

• present-day observations and experiments

• also called operational science or dominion science

Kinds of ScienceKinds of Science• Historical science

• creates hypotheses and develops theories and laws pertaining to events in the unobservable past

• involves presuppositions

Physics encompasses things as small as atoms and as

immense as galaxies.

It is often subdivided into two general groups of

knowledge based on history.

Classical Physics Classical Physics • developed 1600-1900

• mechanics• electromagnetism• thermodynamics

Modern Physics Modern Physics • developed 1900 to present

• quantum mechanics• theories of relativity

Branches of Physics Branches of Physics • astrophysics• geophysics• biophysics• atmospheric physics

Branches of Physics Branches of Physics • nuclear and high energy

physics• applied physics• and much more!

Limitations of Science

Limitations of Science

Empirical science is limited to phenomena that can be

observed.

Limitations of Science

Limitations of Science

Because man’s knowledge is incomplete, science

changes.

Limitations of Science

Limitations of Science

Science has difficulty defining and explaining the

causes of natural phenomena.

Limitations of Science

Limitations of Science

Questions about man’s purpose and condition are beyond the realm of true

science.

How Do Physicists Work?

How Do Physicists Work?

Scientific Methodology

Scientific Methodology

Often called the “Scientific

Method”

Often called the “Scientific

Method”

Scientific QuestionsScientific Questions• the starting point for

scientific investigations• involve What, Where, How,

Why, or When• they may involve...

Scientific QuestionsScientific Questions• unexpected observations• patterns• predictions made by

theories• a need to solve a problem

or develop a new method

HypothesesHypotheses• a “tentative best guess” for

explaining observations• It must be reasonable.• It must be testable.• It should not contradict

established principles.

HypothesesHypotheses• It must explain all current

observations and predict new ones.

• It should be as simple as possible.

Observations Observations • how we test hypotheses• involve the five senses• produce data

Data Data • qualitative: descriptive• quantitative: involves

measurements with calibrated instruments• more objective

Sharing Scientific Knowledge

Sharing Scientific Knowledge

• reports are prepared• reviewed by peers• published in scientific

journals