History of physics
Physics is a branch of science whose primary objects of study are matter and energy. Discoveries of physics find applications throughout the natural sciences and in technology. Historically, physics emerged from the scientific revolution of the 17th century, grew rapidly in the 19th century, then was transformed by a series of discoveries in the 20th century. Physics today may be divided loosely into classical physics and modern physics.
See also: History of scienceMany detailed articles on specific topics are available through the Outline of the history of physics.
19th century[edit]
Mechanics[edit]
In 1821, William Hamilton began his analysis of Hamilton's characteristic function.
In 1835, he stated Hamilton's canonical equations of motion.
In 1813, Peter Ewart supported the idea of the conservation of energy in his paper On the measure of moving force.
In 1829, Gaspard Coriolis introduced the terms of work (force times distance) and kinetic energy with the meanings they have today.
In 1841, Julius Robert von Mayer, an amateur scientist, wrote a paper on the conservation of energy, although his lack of academic training led to its rejection.
In 1847, Hermann von Helmholtz formally stated the law of conservation of energy.