What is Physicist: Definition and 657 Discussions

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. Gazing at the Stars

    Physics Opportunities for an Aspiring Physicist

    Hello, everybody! I've been interested in physics for quite a while. I have a passion for learning and have discovered that I truly love this area of study. I am particularly interested in research, perhaps dealing with astrophysics or quantum mechanics. However, I have been warned by many...
  2. O

    Are physics and fundamental chemistry only necessary to become a physicist?

    Does the understanding and application of physics and fundamental chemistry is only required to be physicist? Or you have to be be equally apt in chemistry??
  3. JD_PM

    Physics Essential skills for applying for Space Agency jobs as a physicist

    Hi Physics Forums community. Let me briefly explain my current state of affairs. Next season, if every goes as planned, I will begin my Master's in Physics. I have, what I call, a positive problem; I like lots of branches of Physics (I study Physics because of pure passion and not because I...
  4. brotherbobby

    Rotating physicist and momentum conservation

    We are aware of the well-known problem of a rotating physicist whose angular velocity ω increases as a consequence of angular momentun conservation (##I_1 \omega_1 = I_2 \omega_2, \Sigma \tau_e = 0##). I am assuming that the net external force (##\Sigma F_e##) is also zero along with the net...
  5. W

    Physics Career options for a physicist (MSc)

    Hi PF, I graduated (MSc) six months ago with a 3.7/4.0 GPA and is still unemployed. During my time at university, I focused on my studies and did not give my future work life much thought. Consequently, I do not really know what my options are as a physicist. Sure, after reading countless job...
  6. gleem

    All I (as a physicist) really Need to Know ....

    I rediscovered this article , an opinion column in Physics Today from May 1993 by a NASA research physicist who after reading Robert Fulghum's book "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten" made a list of what he thinks every physicist needs to know. What do you think? Can you add...
  7. Spacepantz86

    Can someone discuss the holographic principle and dimensions with me?

    Hello all. I just would like to have an open discussion with someone that knows physics, cause I do not and everyone I know does not either lol. I have ideas I would like to understand better but it does not belong on these forums, I was wondering if anyone would like to take the time, to...
  8. LLD1231

    Physicist Personalities & Traits

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  9. Quantum_Arcanium

    Physics Want to become Theoretical Physicist but don't know Coding

    Hi, I am an aspiring Theoretical Physicist. I've heard that you need to know many programming languages to become a Physicist, but I have never learned a single programming language in my life and I am 16-17 years old now. Is there any chance of me still becoming one? Is there anything I can do...
  10. Greg Bernhardt

    Insights Interview with Physics Mentor bhobba - Comments

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  11. T

    Physics Jobs for a physicist in Bangladesh?

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  12. Wrichik Basu

    MATLAB Matlab toolboxes essential for every physicist

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  13. J

    Error in Mathematical Methods for Physicist by Arfken, et al

    Mathematical Methods for Physicist: A Comprehensice Guide (Seventh Edition) by George Brown Arfken, Hans Jürgen Weber, Frank E. Harris I am studying it. Up to now I read to page 35 and have found 3 errors. Chapter 1 Mathematical Preliminaries 1.1 Infinite Series More Sensitive Tests Equation...
  14. Luke Coughlin

    Tips for Pursuing a Career in Astrophysics

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  15. J

    How do I become a physicist in Puerto Rico?

    Im 16 and going into my senior of high school. I am interested in Quantum Physics(Espacially Quantum Field Theory). But I am not sure if a bachellor’s in physics in Puerto Rico is worth it. And if they would actually prepare me for a future degree in the U.S. If that's not the case, do i still...
  16. Non Euclidean

    Other Can a physicist study evolutionary biology? How can I do?

    Hello, I’m an undergraduate physics student. Recently, I recognize that I am interested in evolution and I want to study life’s origin. When I preferred physics, because I want to learn how nature works. Now, I am not only interested in how nature works, also I’m passionate for neuroscience and...
  17. jedishrfu

    B Physicist who Questioned Black Holes

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  18. Non Euclidean

    Programs Can a physicist study neuroscience?

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  19. Greg Bernhardt

    Insights Interview with Theoretical Physicist Clifford Johnson - Comments

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  20. P

    Physics Air Force Physicist Career and AFROTC

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  21. F

    Physics Which is the job of a physicist in a nuclear central?

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  22. M

    Studying How to be the best physicist you can be

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  23. A. Neumaier

    Insights Interview with Mathematician and Physicist Arnold Neumaier - Comments

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  24. Grands

    Physics What kind of jobs can a physicist do outside of academia and research?

    Hi guys. I want to make a question about what kind of job can a physicist do. Excluding the academic carrier and the research, which kind of job can a physicist do? It is true that there are physicist that work at Wall Street? If yes, what kind of job they do there? A technical job? I don't...
  25. Grands

    Engineering Is there a significant difference in salary between physicists and engineers?

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  26. O

    How should I study to be a mathematical physicist?

    Hello, I'm new here, i just really want to know, how do i study to become one? I'm at the middle of high school and i live in Mexico, where i live there are good universities but they just offer physics engineering degree, but i want to be a mathematical physicist, so do i plan to get an...
  27. T

    What are great places in US or UK for a physicist to visit?

    As the title says, any ideas of great places that a physicist tourist could visit in US or UK? I have been thinking about the Cavendish laboratory, Cambridge University, but I don't know whether it's open for visitors.
  28. K

    Other Is it too late to become a physicist?

    I am now 24 and graduating a business major. I want to go for a second bachelors degree in physics. I already took an undergraduate physics course in my current college. I will be 25 or 26 when i start a physics major. Is it too late?
  29. B

    Studying How to develop the "thinking like a physicist"

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  30. KeshavTheBest

    Engineering Become a Scientist: Engineer or Physicist?

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  31. starstruck_

    Programs Developing a Physicist's Mindset: Tips and Advice

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  32. M

    Physics What does an experimental particle physicist do?

    Hi, I'm about to finish my degree on Physics (this will be my last year). I have plans to do a PhD with a professor who works too at the LHCb experiment (CP violation), so I'd research on this topics. But I have doubts on the specifical work of an experimental particle physicist... only analyze...
  33. V

    Courses Aeronautical Engineer to Physicist?

    Hey guys, I needed some help in my course advice. I recently completed my course in Aeronautical Engineering from India. I scored not-that-great with a 67% avg and a gap year cause of sickness. I always wanted to do a masters in physics and specifically in theoretical physics in topics related...
  34. T

    Physics Medical physicist thinking of moving to US

    Hi all, I'm just home from a trip around the US and I've fallen in love with some of the beach towns just south of LA. I'm currently working as a medical physicist in Ireland. Two years ago I completed the UK medical physics training scheme and have UK state registration. Having done a search...
  35. A

    Physics Theoretical Physicist Career Guidance

    what is the academic route to become a theoretical physicist?
  36. Cathr

    Engineering Can one successfully be an Engineer AND a Physicist?

    What I meant in the title is Theoretical Physicist (character limit). A year ago, when I decided to get a Physics bachelor degree, I was 100% sure I'm going to do theoretical research. Since high school, I was always searching stuff about particle physics, relativity and other topics on the...
  37. Sai Maurice

    Engineering Nuclear physicist with nuclear engineering PhD?

    Hello Physicsforums. The title states my main question, but there is a little bit more than is revealed there. 1. Can you become a nuclear physicist with a nuclear engineering PhD? 2. If not, then can I get a PhD in nuclear physics with a double major in mechanical engineering and mathematics...
  38. N

    Learn French or German language for physicist?

    I am planning on learning a new language in the upcoming year. I already have a B1 level of french and had thought about perfecting it. However, I was told that German was more useful as a physicist as it would open career paths in Germany and postgrad opportunities after undergrad, the only...
  39. A

    Can I be a successful physicist or mathematician?

    Hello, I am in high school in the United States. I am SUPER interested in mathematics and physics, and I have been researching physics and mathematics since middle school. I love it! I love theoretical particle physics and algebraic topology. If I had the choice, I would spend my entire life...
  40. GoldenBear

    Schools What kind of grades would a future physicist tend to have in high school?

    I am aware that the grades would vary from country to country and school to school, but what kind of grades (particularly in physics and mathematics) do people who go on to become physicists (experimental or theoretical) generally tend to have in their last year of high school?
  41. arpon

    How many equations does a physicist write in his lifetime?

    How many equations does a physicist write in his/her lifetime on average? Is there any approximate statistics on this? Also how much is this correlated to his/her contribution to physics?
  42. lawlieto

    Studying Should a theoretical physicist learn maths like a mathematician?

    I'm currently doing my undergraduate physics course at university, and I'm quite confident I'd like to be a theorist in the future. We have separate maths lectures from maths students, and most people have an attitude towards maths which could be summed up as "only learn what you need to know...
  43. Zoiona

    Can I Achieve My Dream of Becoming a Physicist?

    Hi! I've always had a curiosity about the world around us and how it works and then my dad sort of introduced me to cosmology, astrophysics and just physics in general I guess. Since then I've always had a distant dream of becoming a physicist (or astronaut :P). I'm 15 now and I get mostly Bs in...
  44. jamalkoiyess

    What is the computer hardware needed by a physicist?

    I am looking at desktop and laptop options, but I do not know which will be beneficial to me as a Physics student. I am a sophomore and am looking for something that can last up to 5 years of performance without having to upgrade and also it should fit my needs as a physicist. Since I know so...
  45. Rabu001

    Physics Is a Career in Accelerator Physics Risky and Limited in Scope?

    I looked on google for someone's opinion about this field, unfortunately, my search deemed unsuccessful as i found non other than jobs looking for accelerator physicist themselves. and this lack itself worries me. I would like to know more about this field, an explanation, for a simple minded...
  46. A

    Schools What is the best for an experimental particle physicist?

    I'm interested to become an experimental physicist particularly in particle physics. I have the chance to pursue a double degree. what is the best choice that will help me more in my future career.- a double degree in physics and computer science or a double degree in physics and material...
  47. T

    Physics Worried about collaborating with a fringe physicist

    I'm a grad student working on a PhD in physics at an accredited university in the US. I have the opportunity this Summer of doing a side research project or two under the auspices of a physicist who works at a private research outfit funded by another physicist who was involved in "paranormal"...
  48. Greg Bernhardt

    Insights Interview with a Theoretical Physicist: Sabine Hossenfelder - Comments

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  49. TheFlyingGandalf

    Physics A few questions about a theoretical physicist career

    Hello, I'm Michael, am 17 and uncertain about my future (as I'm sure anyone my age is). you see, I aim to be a theoretical physicist in the future and I am worried a bit: Yes, I know, you shouldn't pick a job just for the money, but I do worry about how much does a theoretical physicist make. do...
  50. M

    I GR for a mathematician and a physicist? What's the difference?

    Have members of the community had the experience of being taught GR both from a mathematical and physics perspective? I am a trained mathematician ( whatever that means - I still struggle with integral equations :) ) but I have always been drawn to applied mathematical physics subjects and much...
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