At one point, different concepts and theories of the natural science meet at an explanation of phenomena in a manner that most scientists may not imagine. Such is the relationship between geology and physics. Geology, definitively, is the study of the composition and elements of earth. In an advanced understanding, geology defines the different aspects of the universe such as rocks and the processes by which they change. On the other hand, physics is the branch of natural science that details the understanding of matter force, energy and matter with their movement through time and space (Anand, 2002). With the solid earth being part of matter, from the definitions, there is a fundamental understanding that the laws of physics meet the assertions of geology at some point leading to the likely dogma of geophysics. Based on a range of reputable sources, this paper reviews geophysics along the specificity of how the laws of physics and geology meet in a definition of tectonic theories.
Theoretical Concept
According to Popper(2002), the earth is constantly expanding. A lot of theories have emerged to link the expansion of the land with the interrelationship between ranges of approaches. Geologists are one group of natural scientists who have come up with some definitive theories the effect. The Subduction theory is one of the known geological theories that stand out in explaining the convergent boundaries of the tectonic plates. Through the subduction theory, people have been made to believe that the earth is in constant adjustment with the movement of the tectonic plates at the convergent plate boundaries (Anand, 2002). The regions that are characterized by the movement are referred to as subduction zones. Both the continental and oceanic crusts interact at the subduction zones to keep the earth in constant resizing, according to the subduction theorists.
Physicists, on the other hand, have come up with numerous theories explaining how the laws of physics critically describe activities in the earth's crust, central of which are the plate tectonics. According to natural scientists in physics, energy can neither be created nor destroyed (Anand, 2002). As such energy can only be transformed from one form into another. Energy and forces that constitute movements of energy, according to physics theorists could be the above explanation for the activities at the crust of the earth.
Even though they seem to explore different paths in explaining events at the crust of the earth, both geology and physics appear to describe the activities eminently. The Conseil Europeen pour le Recherche Nucleaire (CERN or European Organization for Nuclear Research in English) is one of the reputable international organizations that have come out in attaching the opposing laws of physics and geology. The high-speed atomic components at CERN studies have consistently endeavored at detailing matter conservation laws as well as the iconic big bang theory. According to the big bang theorists, the universe sprung into singularity millions of years ago (Popper, 2002). To date, the convergence of the earth continues within its crust. As such CERN reports argue that energy and matter conservation laws could be central in explaining the plate drifts as they are essential to defining force balances within the earth's crust to instigate continuous expansion evident in studies today.
Relationship between Geology and Physics
Anand (2002) argues that if the studies by CERN and the different natural science theories are put aside, there still exist an excellent relationship between objects of physics and those of biology. Superficially, the laws of physics seem to hold more effects in the geological world. For instance, geologists are broiled in constant application of quantitative explanations of physics to explain the great 8-centimeter drifts at the subduction zones (Popper, 2002). Other aspects of natural physics such as gravity, heat flows, and vibrations within the earth's crust caused by imbalance of pressure, electromagnetic waves, electricity, mineral physics, radioactivity, fluid dynamics, and magnetism are profoundly explained through the laws of physics but have quantifiable influence on aspects of structural geology such as the movement of rocks in the earth’s crust (Popper, 2002). A relevant example is a theoretical explanation in physics that detail movements of waves that in turn create a pressure difference between the earth’s crust. The resultant pressure difference leads to the emergence of sinkholes, caverns, fault lines among other geologic features critical to plate tectonics and subduction in smaller scales.
References
Anand, P. (2002). Decision-making when science is ambiguous. Science, 295. Retrieved from http://www.tc.umn.edu/~allch001/papers/dogma.pdf
Popper, K. (2002). The Logic of Scientific Discovery. 2002: Routledge Classics.
