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study non-living systems, in contrast to the biological sciences. However, the term "physical"
creates an unintended, somewhat arbitrary distinction, since many branches of physical science
also study biological phenomena.
Physical science
The fields of inquiry to which the general designation science may be appropriately applied are
broadly divided into social science and natural science. The latter is further subdivided into
biology and physical science. Physical science is generally considered to include astronomy,
chemistry, geology, mineralogy, meteorology, and physics. These overlap more or less, as
illustrated by astrophysics, chemical physics, physical chemistry, and geophysics. There is
overlap, likewise, between the physical and biological sciences, as seen in biochemistry,
biophysics, virology, and the close relation between geology and paleontology. The boundaries
implied in all such classifications are artificial and consist of regions where one field shades into
another.
Aerodynamics: the study of the motion of gas on objects and the forces created
Biochemistry: the study of the organic chemistry of compounds and processes occurring in
organisms
Biophysics: the application of theories and methods of the physical sciences to questions of biology
Chemistry: the science of matter and its interactions with energy and itself
Climatology: the study of climates and investigations of its phenomena and causes
Ecology: the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment
Environmental Science: the science of the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological
components of the environment
Forestry: the science of studying and managing forests and plantations, and related natural resources
Marine Biology: the study of animal and plant life within saltwater ecosystems
Mathematics: a science dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
Medicine: the science concerned with maintaining health and restoring it by treating disease
Meteorology: study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting
Microbiology: the study of microorganisms, including viruses, prokaryotes and simple eukaryotes
Mineralogy: the study of the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals
Nuclear Physics: the branch of physics concerned with the nucleus of the atom
Neurology: the branch of medicine dealing with the nervous system and its disorders
Oceanography: study of the earth's oceans and their interlinked ecosystems and chemical and physical processes
Organic Chemistry: the branch of chemistry dedicated to the study of the structures, synthesis, and reactions of
carbon-containing compounds
Physiology: the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms
Radiology: the branch of medicine dealing with the applications of radiant energy, including x-rays and
radioisotopes
Seismology: the study of earthquakes and the movement of waves through the Earth
Thermodynamics: the physics of energy, heat, work, entropy and the spontaneity of processes
Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new
knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method
of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to
specific principles of reasoning.[1] A scientific method consists of the collection of data through
observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.[2]
Although procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, identifiable features distinguish
scientific inquiry from other methodologies of knowledge. Scientific researchers propose
hypotheses as explanations of phenomena, and design experimental studies to test these
hypotheses. These steps must be repeatable in order to dependably predict any future results.
Theories that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many independently-derived
hypotheses together in a coherent, supportive structure. This in turn may help form new
hypotheses or place groups of hypotheses into context.
Among other facets shared by the various fields of inquiry is the conviction that the process be
objective to reduce biased interpretations of the results. Another basic expectation is to
document, archive and share all data and methodology so they are available for careful scrutiny
by other scientists, thereby allowing other researchers the opportunity to verify results by
attempting to reproduce them. This practice, called full disclosure, also allows statistical
measures of the reliability of these data to be established.
A linearized, pragmatic scheme of the four points above is sometimes offered as a guideline for
proceeding:[32]