Physics, the fundamental science of matter and energy, encompasses all levels of nature from the sub-atomic to the cosmic, and underlies much of the technology around us. Sidney Perkowitz provides an overview of how this pervasive science came to be and how it works: who funds it, how physicists think, and how physics supports the technology we all use. Presenting the theories and outcomes of pure and applied physics, he ranges from ideas of the Greek natural philosophers to modern quantum mechanics, and energy production. Considering its most consequential experiments, he also discusses the effects of physics on society, culture, and humanity's vision of its place in the universe--inside cover.

It all began with the Greeks -- What physics covers and what it doesn't -- How physics works -- Physics applied and extended -- A force in society -- Future physics: unanswered questions.