Physics research Definition and 89 Threads

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. Lathropian

    Physics Looking to pivot to physics at 31, could use some guidance

    Hi all, I am looking for some advice (high-level-ish). I fundamentally enjoyed the subject material as an undergrad majoring in Physics. However, I ended up making a late change to Electrical Engineering for the sake of job applicability. I have worked as an engineer for a couple of firms but...
  2. D

    Other Extra Year of Study for Graduate Physics Research: A Possibility?

    I am interested in pursuing graduate reserch in physics. I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering with a research in classical mechanics. However, PhD programs require a background in modern physics in order to be accepted and I would prefer to strengthen my preparation in...
  3. L

    Looking for Nuclear Physics Research Problems

    Homework Statement:: nuclear/atomic physics research problem Relevant Equations:: research problem please Hi all Anyone who can help me to get a research problems based on advanced nuclear physics please... Thank you all
  4. Spiffyline153

    I Uncovering the Secrets of Water Slide Physics

    I'm a researcher hoping to look at some papers on the technical aspect of water physics on a water slide. Does anyone have resources or pointers for me? Essentially, I'm trying to find the optimal amount of water needed to propel a passenger down a standard straight water slide, but I don't know...
  5. andrew0310

    Physics What is it like to do theoretical physics research?

    Hello everybody, I am an undergraduate student studying computer science and I love it, especially Artificial Intelligence. I'm a curious person, so there are a lot of things that I find intriguing. But I sometimes wonder if a physics career would be more interesting, not because I don't like...
  6. Pispi Choudhury

    Courses Pursuing Theoretical Physics Research: What Courses to Take

    I just finished my sophomore year of a 4-year undergrad in Physics, what relevant courses should I take to pursue my career in theoretical physics research? Advanced grad courses are to be recommended too, thanks.
  7. W

    Physics Leaving Academia While Still Contributing to Physics Research

    There is a Theoretical Physicist by the name of Garret Lisi. He gave a ted Talk on one of his unified physics theories that received a lot of attention. The reason why I am bringing him up is because he left academia after he finished his phd and moved to Maui. During his time there he found...
  8. L

    Programs High School Experimental Physics Research Academy at Penn, reviews?

    I have a 9th grader who is really excited about modern physics and we're looking for a summer program where he can learn (and have fun learning) at the appropriate level. Most of the summer physics programs we've found are only open to current 11th or 12th graders. The Penn Experimental Physics...
  9. N

    Astrophysics/solar physics research

    Which s the best topic in the following to do research n astrophysics...Solar flares,Coronal mass ejections, Geomagnetic storms
  10. Y

    Other Gap Year Physics Research for an International Student?

    Just got rejected by nearly all of my grad schools (one hasn't reply but the chance is pretty small). The funding is super harsh this year in my field and even worse for a student from China. Is there any way for an international student to take a gap year for physics research in the U.S? ( My...
  11. A

    Testing What Are Good Topics for a Non-Experimental Physics Research Project?

    Hello, Sorry, I'm sure this question has been asked many a time, however I could not find anything satisfying my needs. Basically, I need a research task soon, and I really don't know anywhere else to ask for advice. I have thought about this for a couple hours and researched however I could...
  12. B

    How do I write a report about my 4th year physics research?

    Hi, I am a fourth year physics student currently enrolled in a research project course with a supervisor. It's a research in optics and I need to learn about some nonlinear optics. For the report, I want to write about what I have learned during the term, for instance, Rayleigh and Raman...
  13. PsychonautQQ

    Other So I need to do a physics research project....

    Hey PF! So I'm thinking about upgrading my physics minor to a major, the main obstruction to this is that I would need to do a research project and I'm a bit late getting on board with one of the professors and assisting in their work. So I'm trying to think of something I could do...
  14. R

    A Computer simulation of neutrino physics research

    I am researcher in computational condensed matter physics. Now, I want to start research on neutrino physics using simulation. Please anybody guide me how to start: I mean which software to use and from where to get experimental data and then simulate. Thank you,
  15. F

    Courses Topics for undergraduate mathematics and physics research

    I will be attending a university in this fall, and I have decided to double major in physics and mathematics. However what haunts me most is the very idea of research. I am supposed to be publishing something new in 4 years both in mathematics and physics for completion of my course. But I can't...
  16. Finesagan

    Schools Physics REUs 2017: Have You Heard Back?

    I feel like it's about time we started this thread once again. Has anyone heard back from the schools they applied to? Furthermore, does anyone have questions about the REUs they have been accepted into?
  17. ExplosivePete

    Programs If math and physics research had a baby....

    Hello. Next fall I shall be applying to graduate programs in the fall. I will be graduating with undergrad degrees in both physics and math. This has made it difficult for me to figure out where to go from here. I am hoping to get some insight of what research fields would be a good fit for me...
  18. Finesagan

    Schools Physics REUs 2016: Applying & Updates

    How's everyone doing? Also, anyone hear back from the schools they applied to?
  19. M

    Undergraduate Senior Physics Research Topic (Theory)

    Hello all, This is most likely a question for those who have experience/knowledge of theoretical/mathematical physics at the graduate level and can provide recommendations following my criteria. Here is some background about me: I am a senior majoring in math and physics at a small...
  20. R

    Desiring to Enter Physics Research; Seeking advice

    Good day, ladies and gents. I am an Indian student of Electronics and Communications engineering currently studying in India. However, I wish to do research in a field of physics. I'm not sure at the moment of which one since the number of how many interest me is too numerous (however, if you...
  21. J

    Physics research outside academia?

    Wondering if somebody could help me. I'm in the 3rd year of a 4 year MPhys course and at the point where I am actively applying for placements/internships etc and thinking about what to do after university. I love physics don't get me wrong, but really don't fancy staying at uni for another...
  22. O

    Physics research stories (your own stories)

    There are a lot of Q&A about research in physics here. I'd like to know more about examples of your own career path. Did you change your subject, how did it work out? Did you do work mostly independently, and if so, when did you start? How did you pick your school? I'm a 23 years old physics...
  23. D

    Can I persue PhD in nuclear physics after studying applied physics

    I am currently studying in msc applied physics ..now from here I want to make my career as j.r.f or r.a. in institute like d.r.d.o , prl ahmedabad. If I clear the exam like ugc net jrf then does it mean that I am equally eligible for certain post as compared to pure physics students in real life...
  24. N

    Physics research area that aligns w/ skills and interests

    I really like mathematics, physics, and programming/simulation/computer modeling. I want to try my hand at physics research. However, I don't want to build sensors or spend most of my time building experiments. I really like coding and data analysis. I am thinking that astrophysics research...
  25. A

    What Are Suitable Extended Essay Topics in Physics for the IB?

    Hi:), I'm doing the IB and I'm doing my extended essay(EE) in physics. I've thought of so many questions and I even started experimenting on a few but they haven't really worked out. I was doing one recently(the effect of the length of a pendulum on its time period) but apparently, I won't be...
  26. Dishsoap

    Physics Research vs. Math Research

    Greetings all, I've had the privilege over the past 3-4 years to do both physics and math research. I'm considering both for a career, and would like to know if my experience is the norm. My physics research is in QFT (mostly modelling the pair-creation process), and math research is in graph...
  27. C

    Physics Research Project Ideas (First year physics course)

    Hello. I am a first year physics major, and a major component of the first year physics course (for physics majors) is a research project. With a partner, I am supposed to conduct a research experiment in the broad field of physics. The proposal for this project is due friday, in which we must...
  28. D

    How to know more about the frontiers of modern physics research?

    I'm a first year physics undergraduate. I'm trying to look for some research opportunities as becoming a physicist is always my target. However, I simply have no idea how the current research is going on, and before I approach any professors I guess I should already have some basic understanding...
  29. Z

    Question: physics research budget

    I was wondering if anyone happened to know roughly how much does the average university physics professor spend each year on supplies for performing their experiments. I'm assuming that experimentalists would on average be spending a lot more on equipment than theory people who might only be...
  30. U

    Computer Science based physics research?

    Does anyone know of any research being done to control gravity and weather systems through computer science and directed programmatic control leveraging energy? There's a rumor on the 'internets' (as Bush would call it) that the senate recently discussed openly that HAARP and weather...
  31. H

    Theoretical Physics: Investigating the Fundamental Laws of Nature

    Hi, So what exactly does somebody who is involved in "theoretical physics" do at their job? This is not the same thing as somebody who is involved in experimental physics, right? If I understand right, theoretical physics is the stuff we learn in class. It's the theory to explain the phenomena...
  32. Christian0412

    Calculating Bandgaps Experimentally

    I've been doing a bit of reading on bandgaps of semiconductors and alloys of semiconductors. I was curious to know is the bandgap of a material, say Silicon, determined or calculated experimentally? How do scientists usually determine this in the lab?
  33. L

    Good physics research project for high schooler?

    I'm a high school student who wants to do a research project in physics (with school funding). I can program well, so I would prefer if the project involved some computer simulation or modeling and comparing the results to experimental data. Does anyone have any ideas/resources for projects?
  34. O

    Jobs involving Physics research and travel?

    I'm going to be at university soon, so I'm not a student quite yet, but I don't think it's ever too early to start thinking about what I will do after university, so; I'm very interested in the way certain geologists work, as they go to strange and quite dangerous places in the world to complete...
  35. E

    Physics research that involves lots of statistical analysis?

    I'm currently in a physics grad program and am interested in doing research where statistical analysis is involved by using R or SAS. What fields of physics research relies on this the most? Should I look into theory, computational, or experimental groups? Or perhaps observational astronomy?
  36. O

    Schools Good physics research for a high schooler

    I am a high schooler who is interested in physics and wants to do a research project over the course of the next year. In particular, I think it would be cool to write a computer simulation of something, build it in real life, and compare the results, but I am open to other suggestions. Does...
  37. Ascendant78

    Getting involved in physics research in 3rd year as a transfer?

    I will be finishing my AA this spring and transferring to a bigger college in fall to finish my BS. Since I will be new to that college, I am wondering what my chances are of being able to get involved in research? The people I spoke to at the two colleges I'm looking at for fall have been...
  38. B

    Alcubierre Warp Drive Physics Research

    Alcubierre Warp Drive With Rings Story Research I'm writing a new section in my science fiction novel and need a little help with the science of it. So, the general idea of the Alcubierre Warp Drive is that with 65 exajoules you can create a warp bubble by expanding spacetime behind you and...
  39. R

    What is doing physics research like?

    Hi. I'm going to be a freshman at UCLA. I like physics and it is my major, but I'm considering changing to computer science, but I hate doing experiments and taking down data and all that stuff that you do in high school. Is doing physics research like that in undergraduate and graduate school...
  40. P

    Simultaneous physics research projects

    I am currently doing research for credit with two professors (separately), one in theoretical particle and the other in experimental atomic/molecular. I have an interest in both, however I think that one may increase in time commitment and make me unable to perform both simultaneously. Does...
  41. F

    What are some tips for starting research in Physics as a high school student?

    I'm going into my Junior year of high school and as of now I am worrying about what I have to do to get into the university of my choice. Until recently I haven't heard of the USAMO of Physics Olympiad competitions that would make me stand out, and I am not sure if I will be able to do them. I...
  42. P

    Drawing schematics for solid state physics research

    Hello, I'm working on a poster and senior thesis in materials science research and need to draw schematic diagrams of a few objects including: -a PLD chamber -Thin films -XRD -SEM -energy diagrams -a sin wave I've downloads inkscape and have tried to draw in powerpoint so far. Are...
  43. B

    Can Community College Professors Pursue Effective Theoretical Physics Research?

    Hello, Let's suppose a person has procured a Ph.D in Physics, and chooses to affix themselves to some community college faculty as a physics professor. Is it possible for this person to still do research in some aspect of theoretical physics?
  44. S

    Maximizing Research Success for Medical Physics MS Program: Tips and Strategies

    I'm an undergrad studying physics now. I plan on applying to a medical physics M.S. program in the next few years. The program is in partnership with a hospital, and in the second year, I'll do a research project with a faculty member of the hospital. My question concerns what I should be...
  45. Z

    What Are Some Research Ideas in Theoretical Physics for Graduate Students?

    Hi, can someone give my idea about my research project topic from theoretical physics. It's desirable that it has something with atomic or high energy particle physics, but it's not big problem if topic is from some different part of physics. I'm graduate student of physics.
  46. J

    What happens in a physics research lab?

    Hello everyone, I'm trying to find out a little more about physics research as a career and if it's right for me.I am a little unclear on what physics research is all about. SO Here's a few questions: 1) what area of research are you apart of? 2)what do you actually do in the lab WHILE...
  47. M

    I'm Looking for a Summer Physics Research Internship

    The difficulty is that I am graduating from high school this year and most internships are either for undergraduates or high school students. I am not really sure which I am considered and I prefer to be in a program in which I am neither underqualified nor overqualified. I am a prospective...
  48. J

    Engineering Engineer major doing physics research

    hello all, i am wondering if a mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, or mechatronics engineer have the credentials to do physics research? i want to go into 1 of the 3(leaning more towards mechanical or mechatronics) so i want to know if it is possible to research in ANY area of physics...
  49. Doofy

    Physics How easy/common is it to move from one branch of physics research to another?

    I'm currently a phd student and am doing high energy particle physics. I am unsure about what I will do when I graduate, but I suspect I willl apply for postdoc positions. What I'm wondering is, let's say I do decide to stay in physics. Am I completely limited to a career in HEP physics, or...
  50. M

    Physics Plasma Physics Research Potential

    I'm currently in my final year of an aircraft propulsion PhD and have become passionate about plasma physics, due to its fluid like similarities. I find engineering too-well-defined for my liking and would like to research in a less well defined field, i.e. physics. I am considering taking a...
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