Theoretical physics is not typically divided into two types of theoretical physics. Instead, physics is broadly divided into two complementary branches: theoretical physics and experimental physics.
Here's a breakdown:
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Theoretical Physics: This branch uses mathematical models and theories to explain and predict natural phenomena. Theoretical physicists develop new theories, refine existing ones, and explore the implications of these theories.
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Experimental Physics: This branch designs and conducts experiments to test theoretical predictions and discover new phenomena. Experimental physicists collect and analyze data to confirm or refute theories.
While these branches are distinct, they are deeply interconnected. Theoretical physicists often rely on experimental results to guide their work, and experimental physicists use theoretical models to interpret their data. New discoveries in one branch often spur advancements in the other. The reference exemplifies this relationship with quantum physics; like most areas of physics, it benefits from both theoretical and experimental investigations.
In summary, the two main branches of physics, one of which is theoretical physics, are theoretical and experimental physics. They work in tandem to advance our understanding of the universe.
