Skip to Main Content

Physical Sciences: Guide Home

Physical Science Research Starter

Physical Science Research Starter

Some ways to start research are:

  • Consult reference books and databases (encyclopedias, Credo Reference)
  • Find print and e-books (library collection, EBSCO E-book Collection)
  • Search journal indexes and databases for articles (Academic Search Complete, Gale databases)

These tasks can be done in any order, but reference books are a good starting place to find an overview of a topic or to look up basic facts quickly. Books and journal articles will contain more in-depth information.  There may be more commentary in journals or magazines than in books if the topic is very recent.

Frequently-used Resources

Reference databases and books

Journals

Journal Collections

Ebook Databases

Print Books

Print books on physical sciences are likely to have shelving numbers starting with the following letters:

  • G - Geography. Anthropology. Recreation
    • G - Geography (General). Atlases. Maps
    • GB - Physical geography
    • GC - Oceanography
    • GE - Environmental Sciences
  • Q - Science
    • Q - Science (General)
    • QB - Astronomy
      • QB460-466 - Astrophysics
    • QC - Physics
      • QC1-75 - General
      • QC81-114 - Weights and measures
      • QC120-168.85 - Descriptive and experimental mechanics
      • QC170-197 - Atomic physics. Constitution and properties of matter
      • QC221-246 - Acoustics. Sound
      • QC474-496.9 - Radiation physics (General)
      • QC501-766 - Electricity and magnetism
      • QC770-798 - Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity
      • QC801-809 - Geophysics. Cosmic physics
      • QC811-849 - Geomagnetism
      • QC851-999 - Meteorology. Climatology
    • QE - Geology

Free Physical Science Resources on the Web

Subject Librarian

Profile Photo
James Gill
He/him/his
Contact:
South College Library
3904 Lonas Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37909
865.251.1832