The study of physics is a broad field that encompasses many disciplines, from theoretical to applied. At its core, it is the scientific study of matter, energy, and their interactions with each other. It covers topics ranging from classical mechanics to quantum theory and beyond. The aim of physics is to understand how nature works on the smallest scale up through the largest structures in our universe. 

In this article, we will focus specifically on science as it relates to physics. We will look at some basic principles that apply across all branches of science: observation, experimentation, and deduction, as well as explore some specific areas within physics where science has made tremendous strides over recent decades, such as particle physics or cosmology.

Observation and Experimentation

At its simplest level, scientific inquiry begins with observations about phenomena occurring around us in everyday life—everything from falling apples to planetary motion can be studied scientifically using observation and measurement techniques developed by scientists over centuries. By making careful measurements under controlled conditions (in experiments), we can then test theories or hypotheses that seek to explain why things behave the way they do. For example, Newton's laws of motion provide an explanation for why objects accelerate when acted upon by forces like gravity or friction, while Einstein's Theory of Relativity explains how space-time behaves near large masses like stars or black holes due to their immense gravitational fields. 

Deduction and Induction

Once observations have been made through experimentation, scientists use two methods known as induction and deduction in order to make sense of them. In inductive reasoning, one uses available data points collected during experimental investigations (observations) to reach general conclusions based on patterns seen amongst those individual pieces of information, essentially looking for "the bigger picture" behind observed phenomena. This contrasts with deductive reasoning, which starts off with a hypothesis or theory about what might be happening, then makes predictions based on these ideas before testing them against real-world data gathered during experiments conducted according to this framework. 

Specific Areas Within Physics

One area where modern advances have greatly expanded our knowledge base is particle physics, which studies fundamental particles such as electrons, protons, etc. and the ways they interact via various forces such as electromagnetic radiation, weak nuclear force, etc. One particular breakthrough here was the discovery of the Higgs boson particle back in 2012, thanks to the Large Hadron Collider located in Switzerland. Results showed bosons had mass-closed predicted values, thus confirming the existence of key components. Standard Model elementary particle theory was first proposed in the 1970s. Another major development has come in cosmology—branches of astrophysics focused on understanding the origins and evolution of the universe itself, including the Big Bang model proposed in the early 20th century, now accepted by most scientists as the origin of galaxies, clusters, and superclusters in today's cosmos. Finally, quantum mechanics has also become increasingly important to physicists since the advent of special relativity in the early 1900s, allowing researchers to unlock secrets of the microscopic realm on even smaller scales than ever before, revealing strange behavior, matter, light, and operating seemingly bizarre rules compared to familiar ones seen in the macroscopic world. part reason is still so much unknown regarding the subatomic domain, despite the incredible progress made in the last few decades.