What is Physics?

Physics is the science concerned with the discovery and understanding of the fundamental laws which govern matter, energy, space, and time. Physics deals with the elementary constituents of the universe and their interactions, as well as the analysis of systems best understood in terms of these fundamental principles. [1] Because physics treats the core workings of the universe, including the quantum mechanical details which underpin all atomic interactions, it may be thought of as the foundational science, upon which stands the "central science" of chemistry, and the earth sciences, biological sciences, and social sciences. Discoveries in basic physics have important ramifications for all of science.