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Natural science

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Natural science, also called empirical science, is the study of the physical world.

Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton, 1689
Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton, 1689

It focuses on describing, understanding, and predicting natural phenomena. Scientists achieve this by using empirical evidence. This evidence comes from careful observation and experimentation. To ensure scientific advances are valid, researchers use peer review. This is a process where other experts check the work. They also use reproducibility. This means other scientists can repeat an experiment to see if they get the same results. Natural science uses tools from formal sciences, like mathematics and logic. These tools turn information about nature into measurements. These measurements allow scientists to explain the "laws of nature."

Natural science is divided into two main branches: life science and physical science.

JKepler
JKepler

Life science is often called biology. It examines all living organisms. The scale of study in biology is massive. It can look at sub-component biophysics or complex ecologies. Physical science is further divided into several fields. These include physics, astronomy, Earth science, and chemistry. These branches can be split into even more specialized fields. Scientists use different methods to study these various areas. Some use math to model the universe, while others use microscopes to see tiny cells.

Biology studies the characteristics, classification, and behaviors of living things.

Wilson1900Fig2
Wilson1900Fig2

It also explores how species were formed and how they interact with their environment. In the 17th century, the invention of the microscope allowed for the study of microbiology. However, biology did not become a unified science until the 19th century. This happened when scientists discovered commonalities between all living things. Today, biology is split into many subdisciplines. Molecular biology studies the fundamental chemistry of life. Cellular biology examines the cell, which is the basic building block of life. Anatomy and physiology look at internal structures and functions. Ecology studies how different organisms interrelate.

Physical science includes chemistry, which is often called "the central science."

Caffeine
Caffeine

Chemistry connects the other natural sciences by studying matter at the atomic and molecular scale. It looks at collections of atoms like gases, molecules, crystals, and metals. Chemistry examines how these materials transform and react. This field grew from alchemy, which combined mysticism with physical experiments. Scientists like Robert Boyle, who discovered gases, helped develop modern chemistry. Antoine Lavoisier also contributed by developing the theory of the conservation of mass. Today, the chemical industry plays a huge role in the world economy.

Physics is another foundational branch of physical science. It studies the fundamental constituents of the universe. It also examines the forces and interactions between them.

HAtomOrbitals
HAtomOrbitals

Physics relies heavily on mathematics to quantify these principles. Key historical developments include Isaac Newton's theory of universal gravitation. Other major breakthroughs include Einstein's theories of relativity and the development of thermodynamics. Modern physics is very specialized. Researchers often focus on specific areas like quantum mechanics or optics. They no longer act as "universalists" who work in every area at once.

Earth science, or geoscience, covers all sciences related to our planet.

Moon Dedal crater
Moon Dedal crater

This includes geology, meteorology, and oceanography. While people have always interested themselves in minerals, economic geology and mineralogy developed in the 18th century. Paleontology blossomed in the 19th century. In the 1960s, the theory of plate tectonics changed Earth sciences significantly. Atmospheric science is also a major field. It studies the layers of the atmosphere from the ground to the edge of space. It can study patterns over a single day or over a century.

Planetary science, or planetology, is the study of planets and celestial bodies.

Moon Dedal crater
Moon Dedal crater

This includes terrestrial planets, gas giants, and ice giants. It also looks at moons, asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets. Scientists use both observational research and theoretical modeling. Observational research uses robotic spacecraft and remote sensing. Theoretical research uses mathematical modeling and computer simulations. Planetary science is interdisciplinary. It combines knowledge from astronomy, physics, and Earth sciences. It even explores exoplanets located outside our solar system.

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File:Wilson1900Fig2.jpg
Wilson1900Fig2.jpg
File:Caffeine.svg
Caffeine.svg
File:HAtomOrbitals.png
HAtomOrbitals.png
File:Moon Dedal crater.jpg
Moon Dedal crater.jpg
File:Materials science tetrahedron;structure, processing, performance, and proprerties.svg
Materials science tetrahedron;structure,...
File:Aristotle's model of Inheritance.png
Aristotle's model of Inheritance.png
File:Sanzio 01 Plato Aristotle.jpg
Sanzio 01 Plato Aristotle.jpg
File:JKepler.jpg
JKepler.jpg
File:Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton, 1689.jpg
Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton, 1689.jpg
File:Michelson-Morley experiment (en).svg
Michelson-Morley experiment (en).svg
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