Physikalischen

Physikalischen is the inflected form of the German adjective physikalisch, which means physical or relating to physics. Adjectives in German change their endings according to case, number, and gender, so physikalisch appears as physikalischen in certain grammatical contexts. The form is common in scientific and technical writing, where it modifies nouns referring to physical properties, quantities, laws, and phenomena.

Etymology and scope: The term derives from Physik, the German word for physics, which in turn comes from the Greek root physis (nature). In usage, physikalisch describes attributes tied to matter, energy, forces, and the laws governing physical systems. It spans disciplines such as physics, engineering, materials science, and related fields.

Common usage and examples: The form physikalischen appears in phrases such as die physikalischen Eigenschaften (the physical properties) and den physikalischen Gesetzen (to the physical laws) or den physikalischen Größen (the physical quantities). It is also found in constructions like physikalischen Messungen (physical measurements) and physikalischen Grundlagen (foundations of physics). In contrast, the base form physikalische is used in other cases, such as eine physikalische Größe (a physical quantity).

Notes for learners: Like other German adjectives, physikalisch changes ending according to the article, case, and number. Its appearance as physikalischen is particularly common in plural phrases and in various cases after definite articles or in definite constructions, making it a frequent feature in technical German texts.