Theoretical physics Definition and 551 Threads

hi I am an high school students and currently looking forward to apply for undergrad physics program in US universities but i am bit confused university is asking whether i am applying to college of art and science or engineering college .I am want to be an theoretical physicist /or...

Could you please elaborate on their programmes and/or how they compare against one another ? I seem to be interested in the not-so-much-quantum part of theoretical physics, but any input will be very appreciated. *ETH Zurich *Ecole Normale Superieure *Ludwig Maximilian University

Hi guys :) I am in the uk and will be going to university to study physics and the aim is to go on to do a phd in fundamental theoretical physics either in the uk or in the usa However I am getting confused on what is better to study at undergrad between maths and physics as a lot of the phds...

Good afternoon, I am just curious about what books you guys use, I am a aspiring physicist with other degrees. I have always had a passion for space and engineering and when I go looking for Aeronautical or Aerospace books I find out that none of them are really math rigorous. Could anyone...

I'm not necessarily looking for theory of any particular subject but rather a more general approach to how theoretical physics is actually done in practice: -What problem-solving strategies do physicists use? (Most important part for my interests, I'm getting back into math competitions and I...

What is a good book, after mastering calculus, that covers all the mathematics a theoretical physicist will ever need?

Background: I am an international student doing Mathematical tripos at Cambridge and I have just completed my first year with a 2.i. I did 'Maths with Physics' for my first year. The following paragraph is taken from the department's course website. "The Mathematics with Physics option consists...

Hello, everybody. I'm an undergraduate student interested in QFT (especially CFT, String theory, quantum gravity etc). I have already worked through several serious books in QFT and related topics of mathematics (including all problems from books). Of course I don't mean I'm an expert for now...

Hi everybody! I'm very interested in the methods of complex analysis in theoretical physics. By these methods I mean such things (tools) as (for example) analytical properties of scattering amplitudes (or S-matrix) in QFT, regge calculus in QCD, analytical continuations of Einstein's equations...

This question, at the moment, is ridiculously difficult or even impossible to answer. Some prefer string theory, and some think that it is overly speculative and LQG may be a better fit, and some say the opposite. I would like to ask; In your opinion, what could be the right theory of quantum...

do they also work with mathematics or do they do something different

Hi there, this has probably been done to death on countless other threads, but I just thought it would be better to get more personal and actual direct replies by making my own post. I plan to go on and study theoretical physics and I've been accepted into both QFFF and Part III Applied Maths...

Hi, I'm from Norway and I'm planning to go to university in England in 2016 to study theoretical physics, but I can't decide which ones to apply for. I have never been to England so I don't know the best places to live, how's studying in London for example? Which schools rank the highest in...

Hello, my name is Alex. I'm a high school student in Menomonie and I'm fascinated by the world of physics. I want to work toward getting a doctorates degree in physics and go on to work as a theoretical physicist. I'm taking AP Physics as a class and spend all of my free time learning and...

Hello, I am a master student in physics. I have come to realize that I will probably not work in a highly theoretical field in the future as I do not believe I stand a real chance in this world. However I want to learn as much as I can "on the side". Which set of courses would you recommend to...

Hi all, My long term goal is to become a theoretical physicist, General relativity being my field of interest. I am not sure about the university I should choose for my undergraduate course. I am from India, but I want to pursue my undergrad, graduate and PhD from a US or UK university( In case...

I was watching a sixty symbols video on Stephen Hawking: , and it got me thinking. Is there any practical value for theoretical physicists, if what they are doing is simply speculation not backed by any data? I understand observing a physical phenomena, and from understanding it predicting new...

I always have some interesting on the photon. after I read the oscillator expansion of the electromagnetic field in a finite volume, I find photon is more a mathematical concept in theoretical physics than real particle. not like electrons, number of photon is a representation of the energy...

From which branch of physics like nuclear physics or theoretical physics the PhD will be more beneficial for career?

Hello PF, pardon me if this isn't the wrong place but I just had a quick question. So I have always wanted to do Theoretical Physics (particular interests are Quantum Gravity, Cosmology, QFT and Quantum Optics, but those are subject to change), but recently I have started to look into...

Hello everybody, I have see Theoretical Physics Book from amazon... This contain is easy to learn See the pic : https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486652270/?tag=pfamazon01-20 http://flgopics.science/10/o.png

Hi, I am a enthusiastic student (not yet in University) but am mature for my age so please read on... I am deeply passionate about Theoretical Physics (Practically fell in love with it) but also I am concerned about future, as much as I do want to pursue Physics in University I feel a lot of...

Hello! I'm in my final high school year (Bachillerato, as we call it in Spain) and I have to choose between getting a degree in physics or mathematics. Frankly, my uni's approach to physics is far more experimental than theoretical. I do not like that (lol). I love mathematics, and just reading...

Hi, I'm in first year of my physics undergrad degree in NUIGalway and currently (could change as the four years pass) have an interest in doing a masters in Weapons Engineering after the degree is completed. In my course we get the choice of specializing in one of four areas: theoretical...

Hello everyone, I am starting my third year in Mechanical Engineering. I wish to get a degree in physics after my bachelors, theoretical physics, to be precise. So what extra courses should I take now in order to be ready for grad. school ? Please note that my college does not offer minors.

I am currently reading Calculus Volume 1 by Tom Apostol, I find it very good but hard. I often get stuck and it took me very long time to move from page to page (mostly pages with theorems). I am done reading till half of chapter 2. I just want to know if reading apostol is really a MUST for...

I have recently taken up mathematics at home and found that it does not pose any problems for my future aspirations in becoming a physicist. However, I am not mechanically inclined and can't use a computer to any sophisticated degree. It's all about abstract thinking for me. I fear mechanical...

Hello. I am in desperate need for advice. I have searched for advice everywhere and each time failed to obtain it. This is my last resort. Please help me and bare with me while I explain the problem. I am 28 years old guy. I have literally whole day free to pursue whatever goals I see fit...

I finished my Bachelors in Physics with second class. After that I did my Masters in Physics securing 4 out 6 (G.P.A) in 2011. From 2012 to 2014 I was a Junior Research Fellow at one of the top most theoretical physics groups in India and worked on a project in String Theory. I completed my...

Hi, I've done a prac at school where we had to take an accelerometer onto a ride and obtain a graph in at duration. However, the data I've obtained (Acceleration in X, Y Z and resultant) is experimental data. I need to calculate theoretical data for certain segments of the ride. Assuming that I...

I'm currently an undergraduate double majoring in physics and math and hoping to go into theoretical physics. It seems to me that there is very little I can do now in terms of research on theoretical physics, simply because of the knowledge required (please correct me if I'm wrong). I can get...

So I'm in Grade 9 and I have been thinking about careers and I've found myself to most interested in Nuclear and Theoretical Physics. I was wondering if I could do both as a career without dying from exhaustion. Also if I could work it out how many additional years of schooling is it after Grade...

Hi, I am an Electrical Engineer but I want to become a Physicist and do research to develop theoretical models of elementary partials. I have applied in several universities in US for MS and PhD programs but they have rejected me, I believe because of my non physics background. Can someone...

I'm confused about how people learn the required math for theoretical physics. Do they take the math during undergrad or is it taught during grad school or do they just learn it on their own time? The physics undergraduate program here requires calc 1-3, linear algebra, odes, pdes but that's...

Hi, I'm really into particle theory and I applied for msc particles, strings and cosmology in Durham and msc of theoretical physics in Edinburgh. I know the msc in Durham is a really good one. However, since the msc in Edinburgh is a new one there is little information about it. It will be great...

I was recently shortlisted for interview ( for integrated Ph.D. in Theoretical physics) at a research university in India. As a part of the admission procedure I am supposed to give "A write-up of 200-250 words describing your interest in your most preferred field of study. The write-up should...

Hi everybody! I'm an Italian high-schooler (but I'm living in California for an exchange year) and I love Physics. I decided kinda 6 years ago that I was going to study Physics at the University, and only now I started deciding the field of physics (but I'm still not sure if Cosmology...

Dear all, I really want to join Cambridge university for my undergraduate course. In the long term, I want to go into hardcore research in theoretical physics, esp. general relativity. I am in a fix as to which course to choose for my undergraduate course. I am an Indian citizen, so don't know...

Based on what I have learned, I know that a theoretical physicist has to work in a specific field. But can one work in two? For instance, a person who has a PhD in cosmology but is working on both cosmology and field theories (quantum, unified). Or maybe even the same person working at a...

I'm in high school, thinking about what I want to do in college. I am aiming to get some sort of PhD in Theoretical Physics. I would love to just get one in general theoretical physics, but I am unsure if that is offered. I know that I can go into specific areas such as particle or field...

Hi - I'm a 'mature' student, living in Auckland. I decided to do an honors in Physics by distance learning (UNISA). Look like a strong & entertaining syllabus, but I am - as expected - kinda rusty, especially with Maths. So this forum looks like gold dust to me ;-)

I'm interested to get people's opinions on how plausible this is. My goal is to learn physics to the point that I can read and understand the latest works and potentially even contribute something small. My background: I have a bachelors and masters in computer science from a top-3 school and...

hi there! in case I'm writting this in the wrong place, sorry! i reached the 7th semester of electronic engineering and i left cause i got bored. this was 10 years ago. in this time i went to germany and austria as an intern, working in EEG models, signal processing, etc. I'm 35 now thing is, i...

Hello there. I am a student doing a MSci at one of the top British universities and top 5 world universities according to QS. I am doing a Natural Sciences Degree and must choose a specialisation in Physics starting next term. Ever since I was a child, my dream has been to study Astrophysics...

Hi, I live in Middle East (lebanon) I am in grade 11, we finish school at grade 12 and we learn calculus 1,2&3 (if you are a general science student) in school.Till now i have a very high grades in math,physics and chemistry. But I want to know what it take to become a physicist and if i can...

I am currently a freshman at Purdue University. Recently, I've just switched from First Year Engineering to the College of Science so that I may double major in Physics and Mathematics. I've taken the liberty to concoct a 4 year schedule that I will take. (As of right now, I plan on getting a...

I've read about scientists such as Einstein who have advanced the field of physics. When Einstein was working on solving the grand unified theory, what were the obstacles? Was he trying to find patterns that could reveal something? Or did he have sufficient data, but solving certain math...

What is the physics branch with better opportunities in theoretical research? For exemple many people say that there are fewer chances to get a PhD in quantum gravity than a PhD in others branches of theoretical physics. Is that true? I think that there are more opportunities in theoretical...

Good Evening to everyone! I'm currently a student of theoretical physics. I have a Bachelor Degree in Physics and I'm from Italy. When you finish your B.D. you can choose to go on with your studies in order to get a Master Degree (other 2 years of study) and here you can choose your curricula...

I don't really have to look into this just yet but it bothers me. I quite like cosmology and stuff like such. Universal topology and relativity and sum of histories and stuff. Fun! I really would like to study any theoretical physics though, it just strikes my fancy particularly. I figure I'd...