Why the scientific method is introduced in the field of physics

The scientific approach has played a crucial role in the evolution of human knowledge, and its implementation in physics has facilitated the development of theories and laws that meticulously and systematically explain natural phenomena. Physics, which analyzes nature and its basic principles, requires an organized approach that ensures the accuracy, reproducibility, and authenticity of its discoveries. This paper examines the relevance of the scientific method in physics and the reasons why its use has been crucial to the advancement of this scientific discipline.

One of the main reasons for implementing the scientific method in the field of physics is the need to eradicate subjectivity in the understanding of phenomena. Prior to the creation of this method, explanations of nature were based on philosophical speculation or religious convictions, which complicated the formation of verifiable knowledge. By using the scientific method, physicists are able to formulate hypotheses based on observations and subject them to rigorous testing through controlled experiments, thus ensuring that the conclusions obtained are impartial and universal.

Another essential element is the reproducibility provided by the scientific method. For a physical discovery to be recognized by the scientific community, it must be reproduced under various circumstances and by different researchers. This enables physical theories to be subjected to constant evaluation and, if necessary, to be altered or refined. Replicability ensures that established laws are effective in any situation and are not based on a single experiment or individual interpretation.

Similarly, the scientific method has played a crucial role in the creation of mathematical models that detail the foundations of physics. Through observation and experimentation, researchers are able to detect patterns in the collected data and represent them in mathematical equations that facilitate the prediction of the behavior of physical systems. Some examples of this are Newton's law of universal gravitation, Einstein's theory of relativity, and quantum mechanics, all the product of a detailed process of observation, assumptions, experimentation, and evaluation of results.

The application of the scientific method has also fostered the advancement of knowledge in the field of physics. This method allows theories to be constantly revised and, if necessary, replaced by more accurate and comprehensive models. For example, traditional Newtonian physics benefited greatly until 20th-century experiments showed that under extreme circumstances, such as speeds close to the speed of light, a new theoretical framework was required: Einstein's relativity. This ability to self-correct and evolve is what has enabled physics to progress and persist as a discipline in constant evolution.

The implementation of the scientific method in physics has been essential to ensuring the objectivity, accuracy, and advancement of knowledge in this field. This method has allowed for the construction of a robust and verifiable body of knowledge that explains the essential principles of the universe. Without the use of the scientific method, physics would not have reached its current level of progress nor would it have facilitated the advancement of technology and the interpretation of the natural world.

Bibliographic reference

The Global Scientific Method by José Tiberius, 2020.

General Physics by Santiago Burbano de Ercilla, 2003.