Physics is the science that deals with the physical properties and composition of matter and energy, and the physical processes and phenomena of a particular system. Physics, to many, may seem difficult to understand or relate to, but evidence of the study of physics are all around us and impact our lives daily.
We see physics in action everywhere. See-saws in playgrounds make use of levers and fulcrums. The magnetic rules of attraction allow us to decorate our refrigerators with our favorite team logo or souvenir magnets. Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion are at work in our morning commutes as we watch automobiles accelerate and move thanks to mechanical force. Unfortunately, on many busy roads we also witness the definition of inertia (a property of matter remaining at rest)!! And when you use your cellphone to call and report you will be late for work due to traffic, your mobile device is working thanks to the principle of electricity and the electromagnetic spectrum, undulating patterns of electricity and magnetism.
While many historians claim the ancient Greeks likely originated the study of physics, the European Renaissance is generally accepted as the beginning of physics, spurred on when Newton, witnessing an apple falling from a tree, came up with his theory of gravity. The era of modern physics is credited as beginning with the discoveries of X-ray’s, the electron and radioactivity between 1895 and 1905.
We owe so much to the pioneers of physics. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and Isaac Newton (1643-1727) studied bodies and objects in motion, leading to Newton’s Laws of Motion. Michael Faraday (1791-1867) discovered electromagnetic induction. James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) also worked in the field of magnetism, as did Wilhelm Röntgen (1845-1923) whose work would lead to X-ray technology.
Marie Curie (1867-1934) and her husband Pierre Curie discovered the radioactive elements radium and polonium. J. J. Thomson (1856-1940) discovered the electron and Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) discovered the proton. Max Planck (1858-1947) is credited with the birth of quantum mechanics which inspired Niels Bohr (1885-1962) in formulating his theory on atomic structure.
Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson, 1871 – 1937. New Zealand-born British physicist. From Master Minds of Modern Science, published 1930. Photo: Ken Welsh/Design Pics/UIG 
Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) Italian-born American physicist. Atomic energy. Awarded Nobel prize for physics. Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG 
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italian astronomer and mathematician. Photo: Universal History Archive/UIG Isaac Newton (1642-1727) English mathematician, astronomer and physicist. Differential calculus: gravitation: wave nature of light: reflecting telescope. Mezzotint 
Elements of a magnetron, used to generate power for radar systems, microwave ovens, plasma screens, and linear accelerators. Photo: Encyclopaedia Britannica/UIG 
Radar. Detection device that emits electromagnetic waves and receives their echoes. Photo: QA Publishing/UIG 
Polarity. By studying the changes in polarity recorded on the seafloor, scientists can date the succession of inversions of Earth’s magnetic field. Photo: QA Publishing 
First magneto-electric motor built by Hippolyte Pixii c1832. From R. Wormell “Electricity in the Service of Man” London c1890. Engraving. Photo: World History Archive/UIG 
Faraday’s demonstration (1832) that magnetism produced an electrical current. Photo: World History Archive/UIG 
A tokamak is a toroidal magnetic confinement system used as a method of achieving fusion energy. Photo: Encyclopaedia Britannica/UIG 
Magnetic resonance imaging. Photo: QA Publishing/UIG 
Miniature of the ATLAS Detector. CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the biggest particle physics laboratory in the world. Photo: Kike Calvo/UIG
In 1916 Albert Einstein (1879-1955) published his general theory of relativity, a fundamental theory of the nature of space, time, and gravitation. Enrico Fermi (1901-1954) helped develop the first nuclear reactor during his work on the Manhattan Project, as did his colleague J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967).UIG’s History of Science collection features these famous scientists as well as diagrams and illustrations of their theories and discoveries.
Source:
https://www.sciencealert.com/20-physicists-who-revolutionised-our-understanding-of-the-world
https://sciencing.com/applications-physics-everyday-life-8637595.html