Branches, Sub-Fields, and Interdisciplinary Areas of Physics

Some of the major branches of physics, along with some of their sub-fields and interdisciplinary areas:

1. Quantum Mechanics:

• Sub-fields: Quantum Field Theory, Quantum Information, Quantum Optics, Quantum Computing

• Interdisciplinary areas: Atomic Physics, Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science

2. Classical Mechanics:

• Sub-fields: Mechanics of Solids, Mechanics of Fluids, Astrodynamics, Celestial Mechanics

• Interdisciplinary areas: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems

3. Relativity:

• Sub-fields: General Relativity, Special Relativity, Cosmology

• Interdisciplinary areas: Astrophysics, Gravity Physics, Black Hole Physics

4. Electromagnetism:

• Sub-fields: Electrodynamics, Electrostatics, Magnetostatics, Electromagnetic Waves

• Interdisciplinary areas: Electromagnetic Compatibility, Antennas and Propagation, Power Engineering

5. Thermodynamics:

• Sub-fields: Classical Thermodynamics, Statistical Thermodynamics, Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics

• Interdisciplinary areas: Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Science

6. Optics:

• Sub-fields: Geometrical Optics, Physical Optics, Quantum Optics, Nonlinear Optics

• Interdisciplinary areas: Photonics, Laser Science, Vision Science, Medical Imaging

7. Nuclear Physics:

• Sub-fields: Nuclear Structure, Nuclear Reactions, Nuclear Astrophysics, Nuclear Medicine

• Interdisciplinary areas: Radiation Physics, Particle Physics, Nuclear Energy

8. Condensed Matter Physics:

• Sub-fields: Solid State Physics, Soft Matter Physics, Nanophysics, Materials Science

• Interdisciplinary areas: Electronics, Photonics, Energy Science, Materials Science

9. High-Energy Physics:

• Sub-fields: Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics, Accelerator Physics

• Interdisciplinary areas: Cosmology, Gravity Physics, Particle Astrophysics