Physics Sage Ability, Initial Investigation

Ludwig Boltzman, who spent much of his life studying statistical mechanics, died in 1906, by his own hand. Paul Ehrenfest, carrying on the work, died similarly in 1933. Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics. Perhaps it will be wise to approach the subject cautiously. - Goldstein, States of Matter

I am working to add another possible player to my game, and they have chosen (in what appears to be a theme) another backlog study, this time the Illusionist study of Reality $\to$ Physics:

Physics is a sage study in the field of Reality by which the character learns the physical laws associated with the movement of bodies and objects, vibration, sound, optics and light, fire and heat, the movement of water, air and earth, flight, pressure, electricity, magnetism and many similar branches and topics that give the character insight into the way that energy (including magic) ebbs and flows through the environment. This knowledge provides opportunity for the character to understand and ultimately control, to some degree, these forces.

There is a sense in which my background prepares me well to contribute to this study. On the other hand, the immense depth of this study presents a challenge. To begin with, therefore, I'll work from a framework as follows to start developing progressively more complex abilities, relying somewhat on how I remember my own training progressing.

Identification $\to$ Manipulation $\to$ Fabrication

These won't map directly to Amateur $\to$ Authority $\to$ Expert $\to$ Sage, but I'm finding it a helpful rubric nonetheless.

Based on the description on the Authentic Wiki, as well as the typical definitions of the broader fields of physics, we can line out four distinct areas of study: Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, and Thaumaturgy (the physical study of magic). My gut feeling right now is that Thaumaturgy belongs in a "higher level" of ability, and so we can start to build out our abilities structure. I'll focus on Identification for now; there is plenty of time to mull on the rest.

Amateur

• Identify Mechanics. Recognize the physical laws governing the observed mechanical effects of the movement of bodies and objects, allowing limited prediction of their origin and future disposition. Examples include analysis of a potential landslide or the stability of a built structure, or the origin of a thrown or shot projectile.
• Identify Electromagnetism. Recognize the physical laws governing the observed electromagnetic effects of natural and artificial sources of electricity, magnetism, and light. Examples include the identification of naturally magnetized lodestone deposits or the distance to a light source at night.
• Identify Thermodynamics. Recognize the physical laws governing the observed electromagnetic effects of natural and artificial sources of fire and heat. Examples include determining the temperature of a heated metal by its color or the placement of proper ventilation when making a fire in an enclosed space.

Authority

• Identify Thaumaturgy. Recognize the presence of magical energy and identify its likely intent. Examples include predicting a spell during its preparation but before its casting based on the ebb and flow of magical energy the spell's preparation produces.

We could even imagine an additional tier of identification for certain areas of physics which would be more difficult to learn, such as astrophysics (or even potentially anachronistic developments such as relativity or quantum effects).

I have more to think through on this but I feel this is a good start to the endeavor.