Phys"ics (?), n. [See Physic.]
The science of nature, or
of natural objects; that branch of science which treats of the laws and properties of matter, and the forces acting upon it; especially, that department of natural science which treats of the causes (as
gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the general properties of bodies; natural philosophy.
&fist; Chemistry, though a branch of general physics, is commonly treated as a science
by itself, and the application of physical principles which it involves constitute a branch called chemical physics, which treats more especially of those physical properties of matter which are used by chemists in defining and distinguishing
substances.
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