Physics (Greek : physis – φύσις meaning “nature ”) is a natural science that involves the study of matter ^[a] and its motion through spacetime , as well as all applicable concepts, such as energy and force .^[b] More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature , conducted in order to understand how the world and universe behave.^[c][d][e]
Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines, perhaps the oldest through its inclusion of astronomy .^[f] Over the last two millennia, physics had been considered synonymous with philosophy , chemistry , and certain branches of mathematics and biology , but during the Scientific Revolution in the 16th century, it emerged to become a unique modern science in its own right.^[g] However, in some subject areas such as in mathematical physics and quantum chemistry , the boundaries of physics remain difficult to distinguish.^[1]