The word physics comes from a greek word meaning "knowledge of nature". Physics attempts to describe the fundamental nature of the universe and how it works, always striving for the simplest explanations common to the most diverse behaviour. For example, physics explains why rainbows have colours, what keeps a satellite in orbit, and what atoms and nuclei are made of. The goal of physics is to explain as many things as possible using as few laws as possible, revealing nature's underlying simplicity and beauty.

Science is a core subject in Coachford College and all students are therefore exposed to physics in the first three years at second level. In the optional transition year, all students study two physics modules, From Smoke Signals to Txtmsgs, The story so far, a study of the history of telecommunications from 1800 to the present day, and The Team that shook the World, a study of the remarkable world of modern and particle physics. A large percentage of students then opt to study physics for the Leaving Certificate. In the years 1996-2000, 66% of male students and 26% of female students (compared to just 3% of females nationally) on average have opted for Physics in Coachford.