| Year | Explanation in English | Chinese translation |
| 1847, 1848 | natural philosophy | 性学，性理，格物之学 |
| 1866-1869 | the science of nature | 性学，性理，格物 |
| to study physics | 学性理、格物 | |
| 1872 | natural philosophy or physics | 性学、性理、格物之学 |
| 1884 | the science of nature | 性学、性理、格物 |
| to study physics | 学性理、格物 | |
| 1899 |
| 性理、格物之学 |
|
| to study physics | 学性理 |
| 1908 | n. The science of nature, or of nature objects; that branch of science which treats the leaves and properties of matter, and the forces upon it, especially that department of natural science which treats of the causes (as, gravitation, heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the general properties of bodies; natural philosophy. | 物理学、形性学、 质学、格物学、形理学 |
| 1915 | the science of the forces which are at work in inanimate nature | 物理学 |