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A physical test is a qualitative or quantitative 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 an experiment.

Physical testing is common in physics, engineering, and quality assurance.

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

• if, or verify that, the requirements of a specification, regulation, or contract are met
• Decide if a new product development program is on track: Demonstrate proof of concept
• Demonstrate the utility of a proposed patent
• Provide standard data for other scientific, engineering, and quality assurance functions
• Validate suitability for end-use
• Provide a basis for Technical communication
• Provide a technical means of comparison of several options
• Provide evidence in legal proceedings

Some physical testing is performance 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 a qualitative or quantitative procedure. Many acceptance testing protocols employ performance testing e.g. In the stress testing of a new design of chair.

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  Test fixture on universal testing machine
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  Hydraulic system testing
• 
  Drop test of shipping container for missile
• 
  Engineers in NASA dynamic test chamber
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  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