is there anything that is not physics?

[daicoses]

Is there anything in the universe that is not dependant on physics or involve it in any way? (please only answer if you think the answer is yes)

[AngloScot]

The soul

[Gef]

Chermistry. If you disagree please stae your reasons very clearly. Also, what about politics, my moods, the Lottery result etc. etc.

[brachiopod]

Chemistry is physics. The properties of an atom, ion, molecule etc are governed by the number of protons and neutrons, and by the arrangement and motion of electrons - all of which are governed by, (and can be described by), the laws of physics.

The lottery is balls.

Sorry, I'll start again.

The lottery is balls behaving in a seemingly random manner, but still governed by projectile physics.

 

Politics? Politicians > Humans > Bio-chemical Process = type of chemical process = physics.

This is a big "No" really, isn't it? Hell, I'm going to answer anyway. You can't ask a question like this and say "only answer if you agree with me."

 

[bernardo]

Yes.

[chrisn]

errr....religion, sociology, politics, my hair (completely disobeys every law of physics), to name but a few

[ask-a-stupid]

no

[newtron]

I agree with brachiopod.  NO!  Some things, such as sociology and politics may be more indirectly influenced by physics, but when you get to the root of any process, physics always plays a role.

[Backdrifter]

Okay, what about this. If someone decides to go to the cinema to see a film, and can't decide between 2 particular films for a while, then finally makes a decision: the neurological/synaptic processes involved in that decision-making process are electrical/chemical/biological and, as such, governed by physical laws. But is it those same laws and processes that actually cause the decision between 2 films, or cds, or TV shows, to be made?

[bernardo]

I would have said "No", except that daicoses only wants us to say "Yes", so I said "Yes" instead.

[Gef]

Chemistry is not physics! Please explain, in terms of physics, why nitrogen forns diatomic molecules with a triple covalent bond whereas phosphorus forms P4 tetrahedral molecules with single bonds.

[bernardo]

The way in which the atoms and electrons and neutrons and protons stick to each other and interact with each other is determined by the weak and strong atomic forces, which (at very small distances) are far stronger than gravity and magnetism, but otherwise similar in following the inverse-square principle.  Thus various different combinations of particles settle on their own equilibrium, which at a large scale is observed as a chemical reaction.  Thus chemistry is merely the observable manifestation of a large number of physical reactions among subatomic particles.

[mr. piper]

i was going to say "YES" but there seems to be a subversive element that wants nothing more than to say "NO" on a "just cos you told us to say yes, i will not" basis, so being of a non commital persuasion i would like to say "POSSIBLY" and hope that i have curried favour with the yay's and the nay's.

can i also point out that i am the only person to post an answer that is right justified, and that i hope my efforts are appreciated.

( do you think this answer detracts from the root of the question) 

[fantastical]

We do not know of anything in the universe that does not adhere to some type of physical law or property. But humans (the earth) are not situated solely in the universe. That's where human consciousness comes into play...uhh, the soul I suppose. Aside from the firing of neural synapses in our brains making connections between and among modes of thoughts/experiences, why do we believe in the unimaginable, the unjustified, the unseen? A person satisfies something when they do so. Physics cannot explain everything - some things are outside of it.

[Gandy]

As physics is only a perception then I suppose perception itself

[j2buttonsw]

Is there anything in the universe that is not mathematics?

[bernardo]

The fluffiness of the beard on the armadillo of the fifth moon of Jaglan Beta is transcendental, not mathematical or physical.  As such it is worshipped by the local millipedes as a god.

[jimmer]

yes. the universe is not dependant on physics, physics is a theoretical framework that attempts to explain how things work through testing an hypothosis. Physicists never claim proof for the theories they offer. The most that can be claimed is that a theory is robust under experimentation based on the knowledge available at the time. Just last night on tele there was a programme about dark energy and many physicists admitted that they didn't have a clue what it was. Can i say that this is the greatest advantage of science. Physicist don't assume they know everything or attribute what they don't know to the fairies. they just get on and try and understand it.

 

jim 

[Ray The Grey]

1/ Belief / Faith - they are often counter to physics.

2/ Chaos theory is a way of saying our understanding of physics is incomplete and is not dependent on it

3/ Nothingness/Zero has no dependence on physics. This means something does not exist and is outside the compass of physics.

4/ Infinity (it does not exist) cannot be encompassed by physics and its parameters something physics tries but cannot incorporate into anything meaningful

That should give something to discuss

[AngloScot]

1/0       (one divided by zero)

[brachiopod]

I thought chaotic systems adhered to physical laws, ray. It's the prediction of specific results that causes the problem.