Aphysical test is aqualitative orquantitative procedure that consists of determination of one or more characteristics of a given product, process or service according to a specified procedure.^[1] Often this is part of anexperiment.

Physical testing is common inphysics,engineering, andquality assurance.

Physical testing might have a variety of purposes, such as:

• if, or verify that, the requirements of aspecification,regulation, orcontract are met
• Decide if anew product development program is on track: Demonstrateproof of concept
• Demonstrate the utility of a proposedpatent
• Providestandarddata for other scientific, engineering, andquality assurance functions
• Validate suitability for end-use
• Provide a basis forTechnical communication
• Provide a technical means of comparison of several options
• Provideevidence in legal proceedings

Some physical testing isperformance testing which covers a wide range of engineering or functional evaluations where a material, product, or system is not specified by detailed material or component specifications. Rather, emphasis is on the final measurable performance characteristics. Testing can be aqualitative orquantitative procedure.Manyacceptance testing protocols employ performance testing e.g. In the stress testing of a new design of chair.

• Structural testing: building andConstruction Performance Testing
• Fire protection (ASTM D176)
• Packaging Performance (hazardous materials,dangerous goods,ASTM D4169)
• Performance Index forTires (ASTM F538)
• Performance Test Code on Compressors and Exhausters (ASME PTC 10 - 1997)
• Personal protective equipment performance
• SeveralDefense Standards
• Wear of Textiles (ASTM D123)

• 
  Test fixture onuniversal testing machine
• 
  Hydraulic system testing
• 
  Drop test ofshipping container for missile
• 
  Engineers inNASA dynamic test chamber
• 
  Crash test of car striking a wall
• 
  Fire testing materials and structures

• Environmental chamber
• Test method
• Independent test organization
• Measurement uncertainty

• Pyzdek, T, "Quality Engineering Handbook", 2003,ISBN 0-8247-4614-7
• Godfrey, A. B., "Juran's Quality Handbook", 1999,ISBN 007034003X

• Metrology
• Measurement
• Quality control
• Tests
• Product testing

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata