Physicist Definition and 662 Threads

A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe.
Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate causes of phenomena, and usually frame their understanding in mathematical terms.
Physicists work across a wide range of research fields, spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic and particle physics, through biological physics, to cosmological length scales encompassing the universe as a whole.
The field generally includes two types of physicists: experimental physicists who specialize in the observation of physical phenomena and the analysis of experiments, and theoretical physicists who specialize in mathematical modeling of physical systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena.
Physicists can apply their knowledge towards solving practical problems or to developing new technologies (also known as applied physics or engineering physics).

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. K

    Are there any happy particle physicist?

    Hi all, I really need your feedback on this especially from particle physicist and biophysicist. When I entered grad school I wanted to do research in theoretical particle physics, but now two years later I realized that I haven't met any particle physicist that is enthusiastic or happy about...
  2. P

    What is the relationship between matter and spacetime curvature?

    I have a few questions and I hope they can be answered here. 1. Does a perfect black body gain mass? 2. Does matter implode local space-time or does space-time curve around matter or are both of these assumptions wrong? If wrong what process happens? 3. Does increasing the energy state...
  3. D

    Physics Standard Medical Physicist Interview Q&A's

    Thoughts on this?
  4. B

    Do I need to be real smart to be a physicist?

    I was wondering if a student needs to be genius level to be a successful theoretical physicist. I get along well in my math classes but I don't think I'm even close to those "beautiful minds" kind of guys. So that's my question, do I really need to be really smart to get into grad school and...
  5. T

    Differential geometry for a physicist?

    Hi, I'm looking to apply for theoretical physics PhDs in the coming year and have been recommended getting a little more mathematics under my belt. I have already done a bit of differential geometry in my G.R. course but I don't think it went into enough depth to be useful outside of what we...
  6. B

    Physics What attitude makes a good physicist?

    I mean, what types of talents, interests and personalities someone should have to be able to be a good physicist? And what is needed to be worked upon if it is not innate (for example, social skills). Also, how can someone in the field develop his creative thinking to have new ideas...
  7. W

    Physics Language for a theoretical physicist

    Hi, I am an undergrad majoring in Physics. I want to be a theoretical physicist. What language would help me more (in any way)? German or Chinese? Thanks,
  8. A

    Schools Advice for a first year high schooler who wishes to be a theoretical physicist

    Hello there, I am currently 14 and 1 and a half weeks away from starting high school and over my summer break I've developed a strong fascination in theoretical physics, especially in the brane theory(which involves the notion that there are actually 11 dimensions of space and one of time) and I...
  9. C

    Physics What is a day in the life of a PHYSICIST like?

    What is a day in the life of a PHYSICIST like?? Hello, I'm about to begin college at the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY for ENGINEERING PHYSICS and I have a couple question I would like answered. What type of jobs would be available for an ENGINEERING PHYSICS major and what is a day in the life of a...
  10. R

    Physics Apprehensive about being a quantum physicist.

    I am going into 8th grade this year, and I am a straight A student [though I hardly study], and I have a strong interest in physics. Many people say that my age gives me an advantage with the subject because I can learn more while going through school, and that I seem to be able to grasp this...
  11. G

    Taking computer science classes to prepare to physicist

    Hey everybody. I'm a freshman in college thinking about double majoring in physics and math. I think I might want to try to get into physics research as a profession, and I think knowing how to program might help me. Someone, however, told me that computer science courses aren't the type of...
  12. S

    Experienced Physicist Looking to construct Particleaccelerator

    Hello, I am an aspiring physicist looking to construct a functioning small-scale particleaccelerator for my 8th grade science fair. I am aware of the complexity of this endeavor and have multiple means of completing it at my disposal, including some very generous parents. My interest and...
  13. M

    Physics What Qualifies Someone as a Physicist?

    Hello! I was just wondering who can actually be considered a physicist. Is it anyone who thinks about the natural world and its fundamental properties, or is some degree of education/training required to be a physicist? Need someone be actively researching to be considered a physicist? Opinions...
  14. P

    What is the lifetyle of a theoretical physicist like?

    Honestly, I haven't got a clue. Well I do, but I'm quite sure it's fictional. EDIT: Maybe I should have explained what I meant by "lifestyle". Exactly what do they do? I know an experimental physicist would go to a lab and perform experiments which would yield results. What does a theoretical...
  15. P

    I don't want to wait to become a physicist

    I apologize in advance if the following post comes off as angry and/or arrogant. I live in the United States, am 15 going on 16 and I am supposed to go through two more years of high school. Over the past year, I have made a substantial amount of progress in mathematics and physics, so much...
  16. O

    Physics Medical Physicist Job Outlook (USA)

    I'm new to this forum. I have a M.S. degree in Physics, 5 years clinical experience and seem to have great difficulty finding a job in the field. My impression is that the field is oversaturated with applicants. I don't think I could recommend this occupation to anyone. I have other thoughts...
  17. N

    I want to become a Physicist BUT

    Im 33 and financially set. I don't need the money and I am not looking for a career. I have a high school diploma (thats it) But what I want is to understand the knowledge and be able to work out advance equations an perhaps solve problems. If I went to school for this I understand...
  18. R

    Rob Picard: High School Math/Physics Student and Aspiring Physicist

    Hey everyone, my name is Rob Picard, I'm a 16 year old high school student with a mind for math and physics. I'm planning to go for a major in Physics when I head off to college in 2011, and I'm taking a Physics class my senior year, so I figured this would be a good place to get started...
  19. P

    Physics Exploring the Most Common Specializations in Physics: Practical Applications

    What is the most common type of physics physicists specialize in? And what's the most practical
  20. T

    Starting My Career as a Physicist - Advice for High School Students

    I am just entering high school and have been dreaming of a scientist life forever. I have a huge interest in science and astronomy ( I am kind of a trekkie). I am wondering what advice i can get on starting my carrer as a physicist. P.S Just because i said i was a trekkie don't get the...
  21. R

    Best Physics Field for Aspiring Physicist

    I'm confused on the different fields of physics. 14 years old and I"m very interested in this type of work, but I can't really decipher the difference between two fields which really interest me. Astrophysics and Theoretical physics. I have the definitions of the two and I've read about...
  22. A

    Should I Forget About Being A Physicist?

    Ok I know you must've heard this many times but I don't know what to do, we had a really big physics exam a few days ago and I got a 51% I'm really bummed out because I want to be a physicist and the mark kind of crushed my hopes, and my teacher doesn't think I'm that good at physics. So should...
  23. A

    Mechanical engineer and physicist?

    Well i would to have a career that have a lot of physics and that one is mechanical engineerng. But i also want to se some day quantum mechanics or something like that, but i don't go in the career of physicist becouse of the low job oportunities, especially here in my country. So it viable to...
  24. T

    Physics Making it as a Physicist: The Chances and Realities of Scientific Discoveries

    What are the chances that one will actually make it as a physicist? What I mean is, that I'm afraid that if I go into scientific physics I might one day just discover that I haven't done anything in my life. That even though I choose contributing to science instead earning money, I may just one...
  25. E

    Dilemma: pathway to be theoretical physicist

    Hi there! First let me put some background here: 1. I'm an undergraduate student from (an not-well-known) university in Malaysia. Currently studying Bsc Physics, at my final year. 2. I am very interested in theoretical physics. (but not certain which subfield, of course) 3. I was stuck...
  26. P

    Physics Become a Theoretical Physicist: College Major & Career Info

    I just saw a show by Stephen Hawking about how the universe came to be and what it is now and I was really interested. I guess I have two questions. First, what would one study or major in during college to do stuff like what he's doing? Second, what kind of jobs do these people get and what's...
  27. P

    What does 'Nothing' mean to a quantum physicist?

    What does 'Nothing' mean to a quantum physicist? I was talking to a YEC about the singularity and he pointed me to a few cosmologist(Is this topic in the right place?) who said the big bang came from nothing. So my question are: 1) Is 'nothing' jargon used by cosmologists which have a totally...
  28. O

    What career opportunities are available for physicists beyond academia?

    Hey All, I am here to ask a very different but important (for me and many more) thing...which field is better in terms of career opportunities, excellence and ofcourse money.
  29. P

    Best foreign language for Future Physicist

    Which foreign language will be most useful for a future physicist working in nuclear fusion multinational collaboration projects? Or is english all he needs? I aspire to work for the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project) in which EU, US, Japan, China, India, S...
  30. R

    Why Professional Physicists Are Proud of Their Profession

    Hello all, why physicists are proud to say that they are 'professional physicist'?? Also physicist are dare and bare to say that they don't know chemistry as well as i am not a chemist! But i rarely notice scientists saying ' i am a professional chemist'??.. why so?
  31. T

    Exploring Physics: Becoming a Physicist with Shahin

    Well.. Physicist?? :) Hi all, my name Shahin (known as Shah), I'm from Australia, and recently I've found i really enjoy physics! :P.. anyway, i was just hoping (I'm only in year 8) someone could give me an insight into the job of a Physicist and tell me what requirements i need...
  32. E

    Life of a Theoretical Physicist?

    I am a junior in high school in AP Physics. Although not in the curriculum, I have been reading about theoretical quantum mechanics, string theory, et cetera for the past few months and I am extremely intrigued. If I do end up furthering my "physics career," where might it take me? There...
  33. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Mathematician or Physicist: Who is More Valued and Why?

    Hello; Let's assume that I were looking for someone academic and intelligent -- and along came a mathematician and a physicist, and I'd have to choose between the two. Which is valued more, and why? I ask this because we get problems in mathematics that are very textbook-related, and we...
  34. C

    What does infinity mean to a physicist

    Infinity has always been a problem for me, apart from the concept I do not believe it exists. numbers go on to infinity and even negative infinity but they don't really exist so they don't count (hehe). some people say the universe is infinite in size. well apart from infinite in the same way as...
  35. rhody

    Name That Physicist: 70 of World's Most Famous Faces

    I ran across this little gem, approximately 70 or so of the world's most famous physicist's. For those of you with Adobe Photoshop you can download the image, enhance, and blow up the faces in the rear. [PLAIN]"i50.tinypic.com/npnrzm.jpg"[/URL] Your job is to identify by row, position...
  36. L

    Physicist | What Does It Mean to be a Physicist?

    "Physicist" title I'm not sure what section to post this in, so I guess this one will have to do. I was recently told by an engineer that they have the title "Engineer" with a bachelor degree. I have always assumed the title "Physicist" was reserved for someone with a phd. But that got me to...
  37. rhody

    Remembering Matvei Bronstein: A Forgotten Physicist

    From Smolin's Book: "The Trouble with Physics", 2006 This is a good read for someone whose interests lie in a layman's understanding the history and progress in producing a workable/testable theory of quantum gravity. On page 85, Smolin lays out the problem as understood at the time...
  38. P

    Physics Medical Dosimetrist vs. Medical Physicist?

    Hi all, I am a senior undergrad who is interested in going into either dosimetry or medical physics, but cannot decide which. I would like to get some input from both dosimetrists and medical physicists to help me out! What do you like and don't like about your job? If you were to "do it all...
  39. D

    The difference between a nuclear physicist and nuclear chemist is

    The difference between a nuclear physicist and nuclear chemist is...what?
  40. R

    What is the hardest question to ask a quantum physicist?

    My friend thinks he can answer any question related to Quantum physics (although he claims he won't be able to answer known unknowns i.e 'the mass of the Higgs-Boson particle'). However, I would like to challenge him with a series of the hardest questions anyone on this forum can put to him. I...
  41. H

    Pros and Cons of Being a Doctor vs Physicist

    I have the right A-Levels at the right grades: Physics A Biology A Chemistry A And I do not know whether to pursue the career of a medical doctor or a physicist. Can someone give me the pros and cons of each.
  42. G

    Most Philosophical Modern Physicist?

    Which modern physicist has also the best philosophical background? It seems the founders of quantum had a more well-rounded education...
  43. A

    Can Physicists Balance Career and Social Life?

    I love Physics and Math and really want to become good a it. I like to make exercise, hang out with friends, have a girlfriend and maybe in the future have a family. I know that you have to put the effort to succeed but i like to know if at least let you time to do the thing i mentioned above.
  44. A

    Physics Dude , crazy traveling as a 3rd world Physicist? What do you think?

    Dude , crazy traveling as a 3rd world Physicist? What do you think? Well, i want to becme Physicist, i love it, but i live in El Salvador, the most violent country in Latin America, ever heard about the maras, MS and the 18th street gangs? well I am not a rich person here, so there is a lot of...
  45. A

    Physics Choosing a Career Path: Mathematician or Physicist in a Developing Country?

    mathematician or physicist?? Well i really love both, but living in a 3rd wolrd country, looks like mathematician have more fields to work, and i readed an article that say that mathematic degree help you a lot(finance to computers), What you say guys?? I don't want to be millionare or have a...
  46. V

    Physics 2nd year theoretical physicist thinking about summer placements - where to look?

    It's suddenly started creeping up on me that the degree is almost over, barely having even started, and I was wondering about internships and things. We've just been sent an email by the department about penultimate year internships, which as I'm on a 4 year course I'm not that far yet. Still...
  47. S

    Physics 24 years old and want to become a physicist? Too late?

    I went to Boston University. Have a BS in Economics. I don't want to go into insurance or business and want to go to physics. I took AP physics in high school and got an A LOL. Is it too late for me to get procure a solid career in physics. I want to take it all the way (grad school, Ph.D. etc)...
  48. H

    Theoretical physicist? mathematician? mathematical physicist?

    i'm on first year of physics studies, but i got a little dilemma - do i want to be a mathematician, or phycist? I'm thinking about being theoretical physicist - but at the moment - math is much much more interesting to me than physics. I think that may change when i'll start to learn about...
  49. B

    Help please Physic genius neededForensic Physicist

    Hey! So basically the problem is I was put in a physics class because all the others were full! I'm terrible at it and as a result I am not a big fan of the subject! so anyway i have to write about how physics applies to the job of a forensic physicist! i know they use ballistics , blood spatter...
  50. N

    Biologist vs. Physicist on god :P

    Biologist vs. Physicist on... "god" :P Hello! Some time ago I was watching an interview between... Richard Dawkins and... another scientist, whose name I can't recall. In the interview he comments on his impression that there seems to be a different level of approval to the concept of 'a...
Back
Top