Physicist Definition and 654 Threads

Was Galileo Galilei the first "real" physicist? Before Galileo, I don't think there was physics in the way we think of it today. It seemed that physics was more of a philosophy to the Greeks and Romans, who just came up with theories and didn't try to prove them through experiment. In my...

OK chem-wizards... I'm looking at a paper which states "...the integrated absorptivity of the stretching vibrations of a water molecule is 4.89 cm micro mol^-1" (I'm transcribing a 'mu' character as micro in the above. If mu doesn't stand for micro, then let me know!) OK, so some...

Now that we have established that physicists do not need to study math proofs or do rigorous math problems, but rather just understand the math tools well enough to use them, I was wondering if a physicist can just get by in learning the math tools in a qualitative, prosaic, way as in wikipedia...

Here is my background: in tenth grade I was very average in the fields of maths and science. To tell the truth, I was far more interested in arts. But when I first discovered Newton's equations on motion, there was a big change. I was so intrigued by those that I started to read about physics...

[SIZE="7"]Note: Please See thread "Greatest Physicist Redux."

This goes out as a question mostly to mathwonk, b/c he is a mathematician. Quick into, to help with my question, and b/c I'm totally new to this forum. I'm x-navy. I was an electronic technician from 96 to 02. I am a math major in his 5th year (I took 1 year to off to explore EE, and...

There are many clues you have to which career path you want to go on. Engineers they say like to take things apart. What do Physicists do? WHat are they like? How are they in their social lives? WHat likenesses do they have? WHat odd things or habits do they like to repeat? Besides saying...

Serious answer from a physicist required (please no random answers) Had an argument in the pub tonight whether 2 objects of equal size and shape one 5kg and one 100000 kg would fall from a height of 40k feet and hit the ground at the same time or not? This would happen in perfect lab...

I'm a mathematics specialist with interest in general relativity, and would later like to learn quantum field theory and superstring theory. Of course this requires learning mountains of mathematics that I haven't even learned yet because I spend 80% of my studies doing math proofs. Doing...

What does it really take mentally to be a physicist? No stereotypes, just your objective observations. I believe that a greater than average dissociation from people, although not to the degree of mathematicians, is one important psychological trait of physicists. The ability to project one's...

It seems like there is no specific Theoretical Physics major. You can major in Astrophysics, Biophysics, Chemical Physics, Engineering Physics, and just plain Physics. At the master/doctorate level you have to specialize in astrophysics, biophysics, chemical physics, geophysics, material...

Im in my last year of high school, and am looking to go into physics. Either that or nanotech engineering. Id like to know what being a physicist is like, and what the programs are like in university. I've read up on employement and such, but id like a direct perspective of an actual physisict...

Hi all, I just discovered this forum in my quest to find answers to some questions I have about getting started in the field of medical physics. I am going to finish my MS in Physics in about a year. I've become interested in medical physics recently after realizing, over the course of a...

Hi:smile: This is my first post, and let's start it off with a common question. What makes a memorable physicist? 1. The institution in which he graduated from 2. The theories he himself thought of or improved on 3. Winning a nobel prize 4. Celebrity status These are just some...

So who do you think it could be? Hawking? Brian Greene? Penrose? Think again! http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/10/8/13/1 Zz.

Hi guys, I really need ur help. I know nothing about physics universities, adminstration tests, scholar ships, and stuffs like that. I'm from Lebanon and studying pharmacy.Yes pharmacy, i know it has nothing to do with physics, but simply i hate pharmacy:cry: and obsessed about physics:!) ...

It seems I've lost my chance at going into physics theory. In summary: I enrolled into a middle-sized liberal arts school before finishing high school, thinking there would be more opportunities available, and that classes would be challenging and motivating. That was a mistake; things came by...

I'd like to hear some of the general pros and cons of being a Universalist as a physicist. I do have branch interets, but they're numerous. Mostly my interests are in plasmas and condensates. I'm curently a Junior Undergraduate Physics major.

I will start undergrad next year (majoring in Physics). I am very interested in classical physics especially electrodynamics, thermodynamics, and Relativity. I want to explore them and possible come up with new ideas. I also have an interest in Quantum theory and Astrophysics; however, I am...

Where is the 'So you want to be a physicist?' thread ? I can't find it for the life of me (as a side note, the search function is pretty bad).

Engineer wants to be Physicist, what's my next step?? I have a BS in mech eng and am working full time in the semiconductor/data storage industry. I've been exposed to physics here and i find myself stopping to listen to discussions in the lab among the physicists and asking questions. I've...

Hi. :blushing: I'll be starting college this fall. I know I want to do something in physics, engineering or math -- things of that nature. I looked at the course requirements for an engineering physicist, and I was wondering what sort of things they do, and where they can get jobs. ^...

Hello everybody,I am from China,and I majored in mechanic and electronic in a college. now I want to devotee myself to physic. Anybody experienced,do you think it is possible and wish you some advice. Thanks for reply,my e-mail is daifeili@163.com:smile:

Cathrine Zeta-Jones: http://www.poster.net/entrapment/entrapment-sean-connery-cathrine-zeta-jones-3700233.jpg Or Angelina Jolie?

I need a proper Physicist to settle an argument (and a bet) between myself and a friend over the correct equation for calculating constant acceleration (from rest) from velocity over time. my friend insists that A = V*T and I say A = V*T² in plain english, my friend claims that at 1 g...

http://www.physorg.com/news10789.html Does anybody know anything about this Dr. Febler or the Advanced Institute at Austin? I can't find a dime to spit on. I have not taken any physics courses yet, but I do know what is meant by 'exact' (as stated in the title) form my math courses...

I want to know more about physics. In fact, I want to possesses a physics Ph.D's erudition. The truth is, I blew it in my younger years...academically speaking. Given my financial and academic situation it is basically impossible for me ever to get back into college (unless I stretch it out...

Who do you think was/is the greatest physicist who ever lived and why? In my opinion #1 has to go to Newton, with Einstein and Feynman coming joint second. Newton started it all off, while Einstein and Feynman created a public face for science. If the physicist you want is not in the poll...

I was out at a laundrymat today sitting on a bench near a guy who was reading the paper. He put it down in disgust and launched into an interesting and articulate lecture about how people in the US are wasting their votes by both not using them and by letting themselves be swayed by manipulative...

When comparing the two degrees, what important aspects are missing on the physicist side when doing EE work and vice versa?

Can anyone give me a description? Maybe I should ask some questions too. Do most theoretical physicists work alone or with colleagues? Do most theoretical physicists work at home? What do you need while doing your work? Just pen and paper? Or do most need books to refer to? I basically...

Such difficult courses (math & physics) comparing to the many, many other programs but sooooo underpaid comparing to; physiotherapists, electricians, nurses, ultrasound technicians, garbage pickers, etc. Sooooooo difficult to get a job in those fields (math & physics) and starting salaries...

i am wondering if the next case is frequent in the territories of physics/maths academia researchers: a pure mathematician who also writes articles in theoretical physics although he is only associated with the pure maths faculty at his univ, his employer. and also the other way around. and...

I am currently going into my Grade 12 year in high school and was wondering what kind of courses are recommeded in high school to go into the field of quantum physics. Also, what kind of studies are recommended in university. I live about an hour north of toronto and was planning on going to...

I was wondering if anyone here is a mathematical physicist. The field sounds interesting, and perhaps I might head towards it in college. However, I can find virtually no information on it, besides the things that it studies (Quantum Field Theory, Statistical Mechanics etc.) If anyone here...

Hello I got a few questions... To be a Physicist or a Astronomer, do you need to know how to program at all? I thought you needed to know a little of program..my friend who has a different thought on this, like why don't they hire their own programmers and do it themselves...after-all...

I have enegineering background (aerospace) and now about to embark on master degree in physics(if i can pass the qualifying test). I learn electromagnetisms, quantum mech, etc .. etc by myself. Is there anyone out there with the same kind of situation? How do you do it? What is the best...

I have engineering background (aerospace), and now about to embark on master degree in physics (if I pass the qualifying test). I learn electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, etc .. etc ...myself for the last 1.5 yrs. Is there anyone out there with the same kind of my situation before? What...

I've always been a nerd at my school, and have wondered about the universe and read some stuff on physics(not a lot though). I have a 3.8 GPA at a parochial school (95-100 A, 92-92 A-, 70 percent-Fail), got a 185 index on my PSAT, and a 30s range on my Pre ACT test, which is really nothing to...

Help Needed in changing career from being a Software Engineer to Physicist Hi Everybody, I did a bachelors in engineering (Electrical and Electronics) and Masters (Msc) in Physics. Both I did in India in BITS Pilani. After I did my masters in India, I have been in software industry for the...

I have aspirations of becoming a physicist. I absolutely love physics and pure mathematics; I am fascinated by both fields. I am only concerned with the required mathematical abilities to be able to become a competent physicist. I am not amazingly good at math, I would put myself in the lower...

Can someone give me a general job description of a Theoretical Physicist? First of all let me make sure that I am going for the right profession. I very interested in wormholes, black holes, galaxies, speed of light, and many other aspects of the overall universe but most of all I am very...

What Is A Physicist ? https://www.physicsforums.com/journal.php?s=&journalid=13790&action=view Goto the above URL and you shall find various references to sites that will present the socalled PHYSICIST to you. What does he do ? What does he earn ? Comparisons of physicists in different...

ok, so my friends gave me the greatest Christmas gift ever - a physicist! But the darn instruction manual is all in Japanese! He's so adorable, and very interactive - more than I expected - but I have no idea how to care for him or what to feed him. Any suggestions? What do they like to eat...

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Engineer Vs Physicist (DEATHMATCH!) OK...i've seen some friendly comments on the similarities and differences between Engineering and Physics. I would like to hear from people in these fields and studying these fields to get defensive, get personal, but be serious (why not witty and funny...

Anyone worked on problems from "Thinking Like a Physicist" ? This is a compilation of qualifier problems from the University of Bristol (I think) Physics Dept. - very different from the standard physics problems you come across in texts like Irodov, Resnick, etc. I found them quite refreshing !

John Baez?

Hi, I am a new college student who is majoring in Physics. I would like to be a physicist, but I have never been good at math or physics. Since I was about 17 I have wanted to be some kind of scientist, but recently I have been having second thoughts about it. I am worried about the time...