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.
☞ 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.