Final answer:
In California, physical therapists are required to provide direct supervision for tasks performed by aides. Knowledge of physics is essential in physical therapy for understanding muscle functions and chemical reactions related to patient care.
Step-by-step explanation:
In California, the correct statement regarding the supervision of an aide by a physical therapist is D) Physical therapists must provide direct supervision for tasks performed by aides. Aides are personnel who perform physical therapy services only under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT) or a physical therapist assistant (PTA). This means they cannot work independently without any supervision, and physical therapists are indeed required to supervise them closely.
As for the relevance of physics to the field of physical therapy, statements c and d provide insights into why knowledge of physics is essential. Physical therapists require knowledge of physics to understand muscle contraction and the release of energy (c), as well as to comprehend the underlying chemical reactions inside the body (d), which inform their decisions during patient care and treatment planning.