The Whats and Wherefores of Physics

Abstract

In this chapter we set out the scope of the book and the relationship of physics to other scientific disciplines and philosophy. We also briefly discuss the partition into Classical and Modern Physics, the practical relevance of the topic and some of the a priori tools guiding physicists in their endeavour. In order to streamline the information, particularly for readers more interested in the recent developments in the field, in this Chapter and in the following one, much of the information has been relegated to self-explanatory figures and tables.