To delve fully into the meaning of the term physical phenomenon, we are going to discover, first of all, the etymological origin of the two words that make it up:
-Phenomenon comes from Greek, specifically from “phainomenon”, which later came to Latin as “phaenomenon”. That derives from the Greek verb “phainein”, which can be translated as “to shine”.
-Physical, on the other hand, we can establish that it derives from Latin. Exactly it emanates from “physica”, which comes from “physikos”, which is equivalent to “what is relative to nature”.
To understand what a physical phenomenon is, we must first analyze the two terms that make up the expression. A phenomenon is a manifestation that an individual can perceive or that is present in his or her consciousness; The physical , for its part, is linked to the corporeal or to the properties of energy and matter.
A physical phenomenon occurs when a substance goes through a certain process without experiencing changes in its natural properties or characteristics . If the substance, on the other hand, registers a modification of its structure and the bonds of its molecules, it is called a chemical phenomenon .
Changes in the state of water , for example, are physical phenomena. The substance (H2O) can be in a liquid state, then freeze and become a solid state and later become a vapor (gaseous state). Beyond these alterations, the chemical composition of the water remains unchanged.
When we place a tablespoon of sugar in a cup of milk and stir to dissolve the product in the liquid, we also generate a physical phenomenon. The nature of sugar and milk does not change.
A ball moving forward after being kicked by a soccer player and electric current passing through a wire also constitute physical phenomena.
With chemical phenomena, on the other hand, the substance is transformed into a different substance and the process cannot be reversed. Iron, when oxidized, loses its essential characteristics: that is why oxidation is a chemical phenomenon. If a paper catches fire, it also suffers a chemical phenomenon.
This term is also used in the field of psychology and is differentiated from the psychic phenomenon. Thus, it is determined that while the latter is individual and intentional, the physical phenomenon is something generalized, is not intentional and is located specifically in time and space.
In the same way, we cannot ignore the existence of what is known as harmonic physical phenomenon. We can establish that this is the result that is achieved from the free vibration of a string between its two rigid supports.
The Frenchman Joseph Sauveur was the first to define and talk about this aforementioned phenomenon and what he achieved was that it became a reference within the sector. So much so that some time later, specifically at the beginning of the 18th century, another important figure in the musical field such as Rameau decided that this approach would be the central axis of the Theory of Harmony that he carried out.