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nst.john
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If I become a physicist and got my Ph.D in physics can I work more experimentally and application based?
Cruikshank said:I recall hearing from professors that 50% of physics students want to be theoreticians, and only 5% of the jobs are in theoretical physics. So no, absolutely not. Theoretical physics doesn't have immediate practical use (though in the long term it may have enormous uses once it gets applied.) So there isn't a lot of money for it, the way there is money to get useful and desired things built that people will pay for. I think 50% of physicists are in academia and the other 50% are in industry. Anyone want to improve my numbers?
No, not all physicists have to be theoretical. There are different branches of physics, such as experimental, observational, and computational, where theoretical knowledge may not be the primary focus.
Yes, physicists can switch between theoretical and experimental work. Many physicists have a diverse range of skills and can adapt to different research methods.
No, theoretical physicists are not considered more prestigious than other branches of physics. All branches of physics are equally important and contribute to the advancement of our understanding of the universe.
No, theoretical physicists also work on real-world applications and experiments. Theoretical models and concepts are often tested and applied in practical experiments to validate their predictions.
It is subjective to say that one branch of physics is more difficult than others. Each branch requires a different set of skills and knowledge, and what may be challenging for one person may not be for another.