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Intro To Physics
Intro To Physics
What is Physics?
• Physics is the natural science that involves the
study of matter and its motion and behavior
through space and time, along with related
concepts such as energy and force.
What is Matter?
• Matter is anything that has mass and takes up
space. It exists in three distinct forms solid,
liquid and gas.
What is Energy?
• Energy enables useful jobs to be done and
exists in various forms such as mechanical,
thermal, electrical and nuclear.
What is a Force?
• Force is a push, pull or twist due to physical
action or movement.
What is Mass?
• The mass of anything is a measure of the number of atoms in it.
The basic unit of measurement for mass is the kilogram, kg.
• Early scientists such as the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C.) tried to
explain the way things move. Aristotle
Another ancient Greek scientist was Archimedes (287 – 211/212 B.C.), who invented
Archimedes
and explained many simple machines, like levers and pumps.
Several hundred years ago two other scientists, an Italian, Galileo (1564 – 1642) and
an Englishman, Newton (1642 – 1727) both discovered important laws about gravity. Galileo
Newton used Galileo’s findings to aid him in developing his own theories.
Sir Isaac Newton
And last century, probably the most famous scientist from Germany was Albert
Einstein (1879 – 1955). His "Theory of Relativity" talks about all the strange things
that happen when you're moving almost as fast as light, and a lot of other cool stuff.
Albert Einstein
Current Day Physicists
• Neil DeGrasse Tyson is an American Astrophysicist, author, actor and science communicator.
He was born the 5th of October, 1958. Tyson's professional research interests are broad, but
Neil DeGrasseinclude star formation, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and the structure of our Milky Way.
Tyson
• Shirley Ann Jackson is an American theoretical physicist, and the eighteenth president of
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She was born the 5th of August, 1946. She is considered a
leading developer of Caller ID and Call Waiting on telephones. Jackson was also both the first
African American and the first woman to chair the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Shirley Ann
Jackson
• Sylvester James Gates Jr., known as S. James Gates Jr. or Jim Gates, is an American
theoretical physicist and author known for work on supersymmetry, supergravity, and
superstring theory. He was born on the 15th of December, 1950.
Slyvester James
Gates Jr.
• Professor Abraham Anthony Chen is one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished sons. He is
Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics at The University of the West Indies, Mona,
Jamaica. As a professor, Chen conducted extensive research in the areas of Atmospheric
Physics & Meteorology, Environmental and Energy Studies and General Physics.
Abraham Anthony
Chen
Some Common Areas of Employment for People
with Physics
Areas of Types of Jobs Average Annual Jobs available
Employment available Salary quoted in in St. Kitts or
USD Caribbean
Engineering Laser Engineer
Optical Engineer 60 K - 100 K
Yes
Applications Engineer
Design Engineer
Medicine Doctor
Nurse
Doctor base salary 140 K
Orthopedic surgeon 519 K
Yes
Cardiologist 512 K
Urologist 461 K
Nurse 67 K
* ALL quoted salaries are based on the American market, your ability, your level and the employer. If employed in St. Kitts the actual numbers
will be similar however the value will not be the same. For example, 100 K US will be 100 K EC. Therefore a person working in America will be
working for approximately 270 K EC.
CSEC Physics Topics
It takes approximately 2 years to learn all of the high school topics listed in the