These laws are then used to predict phenomena not yet observed. They are also used to provide a framework for natural sciences, such as biology, geology, and chemistry, as well as applied science and engineering. Advances in physics help us to understand the physical reality around us and result in new problem-solving abilities in a variety of disciplines, including medicine. The discoveries of scientific giants such as Newton, Faraday, and Maxwell have led directly to the wealth of technology used routinely in our society today. Telecommunications, weather satellites, computers, medical imaging, and power generation and distribution, are but a few examples.
Physicists apply, adapt, or if necessary, invent suitable technology for their work.
The most recent example of this is the World Wide Web, which grew out of the global network of particle physicists. Sometimes nature proves our theories wrong. The discovery of a new phenomenon such as superconductivity, or persistent discrepancies between prediction and experiment, can lead to revolutions in physics. Thus our understanding of nature and its laws is constantly evolving and being improved upon. The Carleton advantage World-class research Carleton University's Department of Physics is one of the few in the country engaged in intensive research in high energy physics.