What is are the differences between Physics and Engineering? Is Engineering as tough as Physics?

Answer 1

The precise answer depends on which type of engineering you are talking about. There are several types of engineering, such as mechanical, civil, electronics, chemical, software, bio-engineering etc.

In a nutshell, the difference between physics and engineering is that of science and technology. Physics is a science, whereas engineering deals with technology. Science is the search for truth at the fundamental level. When scientific ideas are applied to real world scenarios, we often end up with interesting gadgets and inventions, which we call engineering.

So a physicist is more interested in the fundamental mechanism (or the fundamental truth) responsible for a given phenomenon. An engineer, on the other hand, cares little about the fundamental science. He/she borrows the equations and observations made by physicists and applies them to develop technology that makes our life more comfortable (well, hopefully!). An engineer is more interested in the end product, whereas a physicist wants to know the fundamental laws of the universe that make things happen in the first place.

Hence physicists lead the way with groundbreaking innovations that ordinary people may not have even dreamed of. At a certain point, engineers pick up those ideas and convert them into technology. So to be an engineer, you do have to learn a minimum amount of physics first.

If your brain likes to constantly inquire "why" things are the way they are, then physics is for you. If you are the type of person that likes to "get the thing done" anyhow, forget about the finer laws that underlie it, then you are probably made for engineering.

Answer 2

Here is a chain of relatinoships that you might find interesting:

At the top of the chain is Philosophy.

Applied Philosophy is pretty much the same as abstract Mathematics. (this might sound odd -- but if you have studied both fields, you understand it )

Applied Mathematics is pretty much the same as Theoretical Physics

Applied Physics is pretty much the same as theoretical engineering.

Most engineering is applied.

My father used to like to say that Engineers can put anything together and make it work. Physicists know why it works once you put it together.