Physics Beneath the Surface

When most people think of physics, they imagine rockets, magnets, or even black holes. However, one of the most life-changing and vital applications of physics happens every day inside hospitals and clinics: medical physics. Medical physics is the branch of physics devoted to the development and application of physical concepts and methods to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It plays a crucial role in saving lives, improving the quality of healthcare, and pushing the boundaries of what medicine can achieve. One of the most visible contributions of physics to medicine is in medical imaging. Techniques like X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound are all based on principles of physics. X-rays rely on the ability of different tissues to absorb radiation differently, creating images of bones and internal organs. CT scans build on this by using computer-processed combinations of many X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the body. Magne...

Physics is at the heart of our ability to predict the weather, comprehend the mechanics behind global warming, and create innovative renewable energy solutions. In weather prediction, physics provides the fundamental laws that describe how air, water, and energy move through the atmosphere. By applying principles from thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, meteorologists use mathematical models to simulate atmospheric processes like the formation of clouds, winds, and precipitation. Equations that govern the conservation of energy, mass, and momentum help forecast how weather systems evolve over time. Advanced computer simulations, powered by physics-based algorithms, allow scientists to predict everything from daily weather changes to the path of devastating hurricanes, giving communities valuable time to prepare. Understanding global warming is also deeply rooted in physics, particularly in the study of radiative energy transfer and the greenhouse effect. Solar radiation reaches the E...