Physics is a science that studies the properties of matter and the energy they possess. It is a holistic discipline that makes use of other materials different from those in the purview and scope of the course. Statistics on the other hand is a science that undertakes the study of the methods of data collection, arrangement, distribution and use. The science of statistics amply makes use of scientific methods just as physics. Therefore in lieu of these both physics and statistics are clearly related but one single fact is that statistics can do without physics but physics can not do without statistics. This goes to tell us that the knowledge of statistics is very important in the study of physics.
The relevance of statistics to physics can be seen in the following passages:
USE OF STATISTICAL TOOLS OF ANALYSIS IN PHYSICS
As a science statistics has its tool of analysis they include the following:
I. Tabulation: This is a systematic arrangement of data in a tabular form. Here a table is arranged to represent the various experimental data according to the frequency of occurrence. In practical physics, the student represent the result of his experiment on a table with various parameter and physical properties represented in the amount with a clear indication of the units of measurement. Hence this a short form of communication of scientific knowledge that physicist makes use of.
II. Tools use in measuring statistical central tendency (Mean, mode, median, range, quartiles): There tools are primarily used by statisticians in measuring central tendencies which includes the frequency of occurrence of a certain parameter (mode). These tools are used in physics especially when determining the variation of physical properties or quantity over a certain range taking in account the accompanying variation of other parameters. They are also employed in physics in determining the arte of change of a physical property when another related property is varied or keep constant.
III. Measures of Dispersion:(Variance, standard deviation, mean deviation etc) These tools are used in physics to know the various factors that affect the distribution of certain physical properties such as energy, mass, temperature etc in a physical system. When such is determined, the knowledge of these factors is used in propounding laws and principles.
THE BRANCH (STATISTICAL PHYSICS / MECHANICS)
The relevance of statistics of physics led the architects of physics to the development of a distinct area of physics called statistical mechanics. This as the name implies is an interdisciplinary branch of physics which undertakes the study of the variations in thermodynamics properties such as thermodynamic probability of the distribution of properties such as entropy, enthalpy, free energy etc.
THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE.
The uncertainty principle in physics has to do with quantum mechanics. The major aspect of quantum mechanics deals with measurements and accuracy. In this field, there is no limit to accuracy of measurements. By theory, the continuous refinement of measuring instruments and the procedure of the measurement, the accuracy could be improved to any degree so as to give approximate or exact values. This led to the deterministic view of nature. Here, the statistical science of probability is important for the understanding of this very aspect of physics. The uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to determine simultaneously the exact position of an object and its corresponding momentum. The knowledge is important in quantum mechanics. It is applied in the interpretation of the wave function (the probability). Statistical mechanics reveals that the square of the wave function represents the probability density that is the probability of finding a particle at a certain position and time. Statistics is relevant to physics in great deal.
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