náttúruvísindin

Náttúruvísindin is the Icelandic term for natural sciences. This broad field encompasses the systematic study of the natural world, employing observation and experimentation to understand phenomena. It is typically divided into two main branches: life sciences and physical sciences.

Life sciences, or líffræði, explore living organisms and their interactions. This includes disciplines such as biology, zoology, botany, and ecology, which investigate the structure, function, growth, evolution, and distribution of life.

Physical sciences, or eðlisfræði, focus on non-living matter and energy. Key areas within physical sciences include physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology. Physics studies matter, energy, space, and time, while chemistry investigates the properties and composition of substances. Astronomy deals with celestial objects and the universe, and geology examines the Earth's physical structure and substance.

The methodologies of náttúruvísindin are characterized by the scientific method, which involves forming hypotheses, designing experiments to test them, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. This iterative process allows for the continuous refinement and expansion of scientific knowledge. The pursuit of understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning is the core of náttúruvísindin.