What is the best science?

A friend of mine is studying biology and had an isa recently. They had to calculate the spine density of leaves, I was holding back the laughter, thinking what an absolute waste of time!

It's a secondary school practical exam. Do you expect it to hold particular original research value?

Chemistry

Physics explains Chemistry, which explains Biology. Ergo, Physics is the best, because Chem and Bio are just specialisations of Physics.

Reply 83

username1214455

21

Original post by JoshBedford

Physics explains Chemistry, which explains Biology. Ergo, Physics is the best, because Chem and Bio are just specialisations of Physics.

And physics is just a specialisation of maths. So they're all specialisations.

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Reply 84

mynameisntbobk

18

Biology and chemistry for sure.

Reply 85

JoshBedford

10

Original post by Obiejess

And physics is just a specialisation of maths. So they're all specialisations.

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I didn't include maths because there is still debate as to whether Maths is actually a science or an art. But you are right, and personally, Maths is the best 'science'. However, without application, maths is useless to us, so I maintain: Physics is the best!

NOT BIASED :wink:

Reply 86

username1214455

21

Original post by JoshBedford

I didn't include maths because there is still debate as to whether Maths is actually a science or an art. But you are right, and personally, Maths is the best 'science'. However, without application, maths is useless to us, so I maintain: Physics is the best!

NOT BIASED :wink:

I've always had awful physics teachers so I never really liked the subject. However I still love the other passionately hence why I want to do NatSci :awesome:

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Reply 87

WanderingWorrier

OP

2

Original post by JoshBedford

Physics explains Chemistry, which explains Biology. Ergo, Physics is the best, because Chem and Bio are just specialisations of Physics.

Erm, no? Chemistry is not a specialisation of Physics. Prove that it is.
I do agree that biology is just a specialisation of chemistry, however xD

Reply 88

Munrot07

18

I think Biology is. I just love learning about how life works and has come to be from such simple beginnings :smile:

And to those who say Biology is not a science well then you are being idiotic. The definition of a science is: "The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment." Now that definitely encompasses biology.

Also, I do believe that every science is important. We would not be as far as we are without every science. Without biology we have no medicine, no understanding of life, no ecology, so many things we wont have. Without Chemistry we don't understand the chemical world, again no medicine, no synthetic materials. Without physics we don't have all these great machines we use every day, we don't have energy, and so much more (and the ability to work out the velocity of a bouncing ball...the most useful :P ). One science without the other two is pointless. I've felt number of times in each science that i've learnt something and gone "oh! thats something from this science too, i see how they link and the topic makes much more sense now!" :smile:

Just my opinion :smile:

Physics by far.

Original post by WanderingWorrier

Erm, no? Chemistry is not a specialisation of Physics. Prove that it is.
I do agree that biology is just a specialisation of chemistry, however xD

Much of chemistry is based around the theory of electrostatic forces, developed by Physicist Charles Coulomb. Enthalpy change (things like Hess' Law) can be explained by the theory of Conservation of Energy, which is a physical principle.
We can go deeper, the definition of Physics:The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two, grouped in traditional fields such as acoustics, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, as well as in modern extensions including atomic and nuclear physics, cryogenics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and plasma physics.
Now you tell me that Chemistry is not the study of the interactions of elements and matter, including energy.
Think you'll find that the definition of Physics fits Chemistry quite well.

Reply 91

Freier._.lance

13

Original post by Obiejess

And physics is just a specialisation of maths. So they're all specialisations.

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This is a gross misunderstanding. Physics is not a specialisation of mathematics.

Reply 92

WanderingWorrier

OP

2

Original post by JoshBedford

Much of chemistry is based around the theory of electrostatic forces, developed by Physicist Charles Coulomb. Enthalpy change (things like Hess' Law) can be explained by the theory of Conservation of Energy, which is a physical principle.
We can go deeper, the definition of Physics:The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two, grouped in traditional fields such as acoustics, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, as well as in modern extensions including atomic and nuclear physics, cryogenics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and plasma physics.
Now you tell me that Chemistry is not the study of the interactions of elements and matter, including energy.
Think you'll find that the definition of Physics fits Chemistry quite well.

Ah, but surely that makes physics an application of some aspects of chemistry?
I do agree that chemistry and physics are closely linked, but to call chemistry a specialisation is, quite frankly, incorrect. Perhaps you want to choose a better choice of word?

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 93

GeogBerry

9

I personally only did A levels in Physics and Biology but I definitely preferred Biology. Physics was more interesting at times but overall I preferred Biology

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Reply 94

ChaoticButterfly

20

Original post by Noble.

mathematician isn't a scientist, when a theoretical physicsts is.

Easy. They are both carrying out science. :wink:

Reply 95

iKeepItReal

Pornology, it wins hands down ,well only one hand then...... :wink:

Reply 96

toonervoustotalk

20

Original post by iKeepItReal

Pornology, it wins hands down ,well only one hand then...... :wink:

i think i am going to get an A* in that subject at A2.

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Reply 97

I am not finite

5

Original post by JoshBedford

I didn't include maths because there is still debate as to whether Maths is actually a science or an art. But you are right, and personally, Maths is the best 'science'. However, without application, maths is useless to us, so I maintain: Physics is the best!

NOT BIASED :wink:

well physics relies heavily on quantity, i'd say mathematics is a science because of this.