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).

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  1. Vectronix

    Engineering Should I attempt to be a physicist or an engineer?

    hi... Okay, here's the problem. I am interested in studying physics in school, and most of the engineering courses don't appeal to me. Sometimes I dream about being like the next Einstein or something. lol :) But after I were to publish/research a theory in physics, I imagine that I'd...
  2. S

    Am I a physicist? (switched from engineering to physics, experiencing doubts)

    Hi everyone, I'm currently in the 2nd year of my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. I've had a pretty confusing career path and I hope you hear me out. For the first year of my undergraduate life, I was in http://engsci.utoronto.ca/" . For those who haven't heard of it, they...
  3. A

    Physics Physicist with background in diffusion, simulationwhat after PhD?

    Hi there, as the title already suggests, I'm currently a phd student focusing on molecular simulation of diffusion phenomena. I took this position, because I'm very interested in the application and development of simulation methods in general. However, for my taste there is simply way to...
  4. S

    Physicist, mathematician and engineer jokes.

    Found this while lurking around, thought I'd share: http://www.cs.northwestern.edu/~riesbeck/mathphyseng.html Bai bai.
  5. M

    What Motivates Physicists to Pursue Their Career?

    I direct this question towards those that are working physicists. What drew you to physics in the first place? When you wake up each morning do you ever dread going to work? Are you proud of yourself for what you have accomplished in regards to your education? Do you consider what you do just a...
  6. A

    Is it possible to become an independent physicist?

    Is it possible to become an "independent" physicist? Greetings all. I've read lots of threads on here about "old" guys (the poster is usually 29 or 30) going back to school to study physics, and I've digested the oft-repeated issue of no jobs in academia even for young guys, let alone oldsters...
  7. B

    How a Theoretical Physicist Makes Themselves Useful to Society?

    How have some of you used your knowledge of physics to serve others, and be a contributing member of society? Or: any suggestions?
  8. A

    Seeking Advice: 15-Year-Old Greek Student Hoping to Become a Physicist

    Hello Physics Forums I discovered your wonderful community a few days ago and I thought you could be a great help to me . You see I am 15 years old , I live in Greece and I wish to become a physicist , but I wouldn't like to study in a Greek university . So I was wondering if you could give me...
  9. M

    How Should I Pursue My Dream of Becoming a Physicist?

    Hello I am a 30 year old disabled veteran. I have wanted to be a physicist for most of my life but due to mental illness I have not been able to do anything about it. I am now completely stable and I think it is a good time to get started on my dream. I know it will be difficult but I like a...
  10. J

    How much Schooling is there to become a Physicist or a surgeon?

    im just really curious... at the moment I am roughly stuck in the middle as to whether i want to become a surgeon, neurology preferably, or a Physicist,im still not completely sure about which branch, but I am inclining towards a Molecular, Astronomical, or theoretical. Wages and salary arent...
  11. A

    Travel Opportunities as a Physicist?

    As a Physicist (I was thinking mainly about those employed in academia which is why I posted this here and not in Careers Guidance) how much opportunity is there to travel? Many publications by the IoP to encourage students to study physics emphasize the international nature of a research...
  12. I

    Engineering How can a chip design engineer become a physicist?

    Dear physics lovers, I've been working as a chip design engineer (designing SoCs for ultra-low power audio/medical applications) for the last 3 years at one of the top-5 semiconductor companies in the world. For the first couple of chip design cycles (~2.5 years) I was solving some really...
  13. B

    How to Be a Highly-Recommended Physicist?

    How to Be a "Highly-Recommended" Physicist? I'm doing work for a professor, and I want him to sing the praises of me when I inexorably ask him for a letter of recommendation. What are some do-s and don't-s for someone in my situation? I think I've found out a "don't" already: don't try and...
  14. D

    Mystery Physicist Story: Who Was the Experimenter?

    One of my professors told me a story about a physicist and I can't remember who it was. It's driving me crazy. This is what I remember about the story. Apparently this physicist was a new faculty member and he had a seemingly brilliant plan for some experiment. All of the older faculty members...
  15. C

    Engineering Software engineer turned physicist

    hey everyone, ok, so right now I just finished my 2nd year of university. I'm studying to be a software engineer at the moment. When I first started my studies, I hated physics because I had a terrible physics teacher in high school. Taking his class led me to believe that I was not...
  16. T

    Must read books for aspiring Physicist

    I am a Senior in high school and am looking to study physics in college. I have read a few Stephen hawkings books: Theory of Everything, Universe in a Nutshell, A Brief History of Time. I am reading The Elegant Universe and own Fabric of the Cosmos and The God Theory but haven't started them...
  17. F

    Who is the Best Living Physicist?

    In your opinion. Or who is your favorite. Freeman Dyson is my favorite. I think he is the best too.:!)
  18. M

    Ways/Ideas for an Undergrad to be a Better Physicist?

    Just looking for some general advice or ideas for an undergrad physics student to get further into the field. I'm not asking for short cuts or anything but suggestions like 'find a mentor' or 'get involved in research' or even 'make sure you understand your problem sets' have helped immensely...
  19. B

    Courses Specialized mathematics courses a physicist should take?

    Hi everybody, I'd like to ask: besides your "calculus", "ordinary/partial differential equations", "complex numbers", "probability", and "linear algebra" that a physicist should be familiar with, what else should I study? My goal to studying this math is to understand my...
  20. J

    Guarenteed to qualify for being physicist in NASA (salary at least $90000)

    Hello guys, I am going into U.S. Navy next year, and I am signed up in Nuclear Power Program (Nuclear Physics) thing in the Navy. Then, I will also get a bachelor's degree in the Navy while aboard a ship, and after all that six years, I can stay in Navy, and go for the PhD for physics, so...
  21. Q

    Becoming a Mathematical Physicist

    I hear all these topics like Lie Algebra, Symplectic Geometry, Hopf Algebra, Clifford Algebra, Quantum Groups, Homology, Poisson Algebra, Semi-Riemannian Geometry and the list goes on.. As of the moment, I honestly have no idea what they are. But probably these topics are related or are even...
  22. B

    Physics Physicist employment statistics?

    Once you become a physicist how hard is it to get a job in the field (any field)? Is it bleak and nearly hopeless or is it easier than I think it is. I don't really want a job at a university so are the many opportunities at other places for research? Does anyone know where I could find any...
  23. K

    Physics What Questions Should You Ask a Physicist About Their Career?

    I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but I need a few career related interview questions answered by any type of physicist. What things do you do in a typical day or typical week? What do you think this career will be like in 10 years? What do you know now that you wish you had...
  24. L

    Physics How much free time does a physicist have?

    I'm in america... have some stuff that I want to do besides physics and math in my adult life. Some of them require a lot of free time - like forming a one man band (with diff electronic devices and real instruments). How much time would I (haven't decided whether to go theoretical or...
  25. T

    IQ of a Physicist and Other Related Fields

    I had to conduct a survey, and so my topic was Iq's of certain jobs but the most interested I'm in is a physicist. So my question to you if your a physicist is what is your iq? Also, do you think you need a higher than average iq to become a physicist or to study physics? And feel free...
  26. L

    What advanced math is needed for studying physics at a high school level?

    I am a high school student who wants to become a physicist. I know that after ap calculus bc you can go right into calculus 3/multivariable calc and diffeqs, then you take linear algebra. what typically comes after that for a theoretical physicist? for an experimental physicist?
  27. F

    Can I call myself a physicist yet?

    I have my BS in Physics with a chem minor. I've done two years of gradschool at UAH. I'll be back to classes in the fall at UAB Huntsville. At Auburn, I was awarded TA of the year from the dept. So how about it? Can I call myself a physicist?
  28. P

    Programs Degrees needed to be a warfare physicist

    What degrees do I need to be a warfare physicist. I know I need a Ph.D. in physics. What else do you need? Do need anything in Chemistry? Do I need something in math too? Please give all the details you can think of about my career. :smile:
  29. L

    Physics How does one become a nuclear physicist? (go ahead laugh it up im used to it)

    Every time i mention atomic science as an area of study everyone goes HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah well stanton friedman had to have started somewhere, i don't care what others think, i will study 24/7 until I'm 70 if i have to i am interested in this topic and nuclear physicists are ALL that...
  30. R

    Physics Government Physicist: Research, PHD & Job Prospects

    So I've been reading around a lot and from what I've gathered The job pool for engineers pay more, but my real passion was for physics and research. So I read more. My questions are, what is government research? When people say they want to do research does that mean strictly for government...
  31. W

    Become a Physicist: Best Textbooks for Different Fields

    To be a Physicist ..... a great welcome to all physicists, i have some questions 1- What is the best textbook in general physics ? 2- What is the best textbook in mathematical physics ? 3- What is the best textbook in quantum mechanics ? 4- What is the best textbook in statistical...
  32. M

    Is it too late for a career in physics at 33?

    Hello, I just recently re-discovered my passion for physics. My question is, is it too late for me? I am just turning 33. Conceivably I could finish my b.s. in 3 years, and then would want to go on to graduate school. I would like a PhD, but I am starting to get the feeling that I would be...
  33. A

    Is It Possible for Physicists to Be Overweight?

    Hi guys this topic is little strange but i am asking it because i had this in my brain long time ago.you know to become great Physicist the indiviual should spend time spending in the books , labs , discussions etc.They are involved in mind aching topics thinking every logical and creative...
  34. A

    Physics Ways and benefits to being physicist?

    ways and benefits what are the ways and benefits of being physicist
  35. T

    Schools A Physicist Working at a University

    I've heard that working at a university gives you more options as a physicist but tends to get paid less than one working in an industry. Can someone tell me the differences between the two and which would you prefer. And I'm talking about a researcher not a professeur.
  36. T

    How Does it Feel to Be a Physicist?

    I want to ask anyone who already is a physicist about there job, so i hope you can help. I prefer to ask an experimentalist but i guess you can still tell me about theoretical. 1. How long were you in school? 2. How long have you been a physicist? 3. Do you enjoy your job? (you wake up and...
  37. U

    High School Grades & College Expectations: Can I Become a Particle Physicist?

    im in high school and my grades are okay. I am no einstein, although i have read many books on relativity. I am just not doing well in school, because i get bored and don't do the work. if i do the work, i get good grades, but sometime i forget some equations. my GPA for first semester sophomore...
  38. S

    Value of programming and cs to an aspiring physicist

    Hi All, First post but have lurked for a couple of months. I am an undergrad majoring in physics. My question is this: I have a few holes in my schedule to fill and am considering taking a few programming courses and I am wondering a) of how much value is the ability to program (or at least...
  39. T

    Companies and Labs that Hire Physicist?

    I was just curious about knowing a few specific names of companies and labs that hire physicist. So can anybody list a few? Thanks!
  40. M

    Deciding Between Physics or Engineering: Expert Advice for High School Students

    hello all, I am new to these boards and have a question- I've recently stumbled across the agonizing question as to whether i want to be a physicist or an engineer. is there any help you all could give that would help me solve this awful question? i love physics, and if i were to be an...
  41. T

    Can You Be an Experimental and Theoretical Physicist?

    I would like to build stuff and conduct experiments but i would also like to take walks in the park think of theories. So how do i choose between these two. Maybe i can become an experimental physicist and then come home and write a bunch of stuff. Can you be both an experimental and theoretical...
  42. T

    Videos On a Physicist Usual Work

    Does anybody know of any video's I can watch to learn what a physicist does?
  43. T

    How to beome a well paid Physicist- Also Questions about Engineering

    I'd like to begin by saying I'm not just interested in making money. I'd rather like what I'm doing and get paid little then be miserable and make a lot of money. Anyways, when i look at the salaries of physicists, i see that it ranges. Overall, I'd like to say that physicists do not get paid...
  44. K

    Failing trigonometry = the death of a amatuer physicist

    I feel so shamed of myself. I don't know who to blame. The teacher gives the exact same lessons on the book, but never follow how you should answer your trig. problems. I studied all through the week and even late at night. I got a C in the class, but I really want to be a physicist because I...
  45. T

    Is Becoming a Physicist a Smart Thing to Do, How much Do they earn a year?

    Every time i try to Google information about physicist, i don't get what I'm looking for. So, i decided to ask you guys because i know i'll get a good answer. I need to know this; if someone is really interested in physics should they get a Ph.D in physics. I mean is worth it, do physicist...
  46. P

    Freshman Theoretical Physicist: Admissions Info for CalTech/MIT/Harvard

    I'm a freshman at Amherst College in my first college physics course (actually an E&M course). I was doing poorly at first (B-/B) but have gotten into the swing of things and am thoroughly enjoying the theory portion of the class(the experiments are also fun but are sometimes tedious). I have...
  47. K

    Who Coined the Phrase Physics or Checkers?

    Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind, I recollect something that was quoted as either uttered or written by a physicist. It went something along the lines of ". . . when it come to science, it's either physics or checkers." I have paraphrased it. It believe that it was a British gentleman...
  48. D

    Life as a PhD Physicist: A Fresh Out of Grad School Perspective

    Hello there helpful people (at least I hope so). I've been lurking in the shadows of these forums since I stumbled upon them a week or so ago and I have come up with a question I have been unable to find enough information for. I'm in my first year of a BSc in physics, although its pretty...
  49. C

    Engineering Quantum physicist vs Nuclear Physicist vs Chemical Engineer

    I have been planning on dual majoring as a nuclear physicist and also a chemical engineer. I was going to be the chemical engineer until I could get a good job as a nuclear physicist. This changed though when I started learning about quantum mechanics and I realized how much I enjoy it. I like...
  50. M

    Physicist Needed to Verify Relativistic Derivations?

    Homework Statement I need a physicist to look over these derivations and help me see if there are any mistakes. Thank you in advance, it is much appreciated. Homework Equations - reltivistic math derivations The Attempt at a Solution The First Part E^2-(pc)^2=(Mc^2)^2 where the expression...
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