Physics Is an Empirical Science
The study of gravity was the first physics.
Experimental results defines physics.
Physics is an empirical science.
This is one of the most important realities about physics.
Without the absolute certainty of this statement, physics would just be a pseudoscience.
What does it mean to be an EMPIRICAL science?
PHYSICS is EMPIRICAL, which means that physics is built on a foundation of experiments and observations. The data obtained from observation of natural phenomena and data from experiments. Note that the key words are experiment, data, and observations. To accomplish this in a systematic manner the scientific method was developed. Do not think that the scientific method just sprang into being. The scientific method has been refined by years of use. Now it is established as the most tried and true method for making good scientific discoveries in any field.
The scientific method is a five-step process. The names used to describe the steps may vary from author to author but the meaning or process is the same in each case. The scientific method is a circular process. The term circular implies that once step five is complete or even during step five the processes of step one are again started.
1. Question
2. Hypothesis
3. Observation and Experiment
4. Data
5. Conclusions
1. Question
Questions occur because something is observed in nature or an anomaly is observed in the data from a previous experiment. Sometime these are impressions that come to mind.
2. Hypothesis
Based on these observations an idea is formed to try to explain what was observed or how to explain why the anomaly exists. Then an experiment is devised to test the idea suggested by the hypothesis.
3. Observation and Experiment
To test the hypothesis, conducted the experiment. Assemble the equipment and instruments needed. Conduct the experiment and as the experiment proceeds make necessary modification and repeat the experiment.
4. Data
Make measurements and collect the data during the experiment. When there is sufficient data, start the analysis. Steps 3, 4, and 5 can become intertwined. At this point do not, I repeat, do not dismantle the experiment.
5. Conclusions
Analyze the data collected during the
experiment. Based on the data, draw
conclusions as to the correctness of the hypothesis. If an anomaly is observed,
start the process over again.