- #1
Alexander*GR*
Guys can you tell me your favorite physics branches (even theories) i want to start reading one
What is your favorite branch of physics?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around participants sharing their favorite branches of physics and theories they are interested in exploring further. The scope includes various fields such as theoretical physics, applied physics, and personal preferences in learning.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express a preference for astronomy and nuclear physics.
- Others enjoy quantum mechanics and space travel, highlighting a fascination with the mathematical beauty of theories like general relativity (GR) and analytical mechanics.
- A participant mentions a particular interest in topological field theory and classical electrodynamics.
- Several participants indicate a strong interest in statistical mechanics, with some noting their ongoing struggles to fully grasp its complexities.
- There are mentions of foundational issues in quantum mechanics, including the measurement problem and quantum information.
- Some participants express a broad interest in multiple branches, including particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, while others indicate a preference for more applied areas like fluid mechanics and thermal physics.
- A participant shares a desire to avoid quantum mechanics in graduate studies due to difficulties encountered in previous coursework.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on a single favorite branch, as many express diverse interests across various fields of physics. Multiple competing views remain regarding preferences and experiences in different areas.
Contextual Notes
Some participants mention their layman status or limited experience in certain branches, indicating a range of familiarity and expertise among contributors.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be useful for individuals exploring different branches of physics, particularly those seeking inspiration for further study or those curious about the interests of others in the physics community.
- #2
Drakkith
Mentor
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Astronomy and nuclear physics here.
- #3
ahnialator6
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I personally enjoy quantum, and anything to do with space travel.
- #4
JorisL
- 489
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Difficult to pick a single branch. Dare I say that it's impossible?
I really like mathematically beautiful theories, this I've learned the past year while studying GR and analytical mechanics (the manifold kind). A course in QM I'm studying now has my full attention as well. The level of mathematical rigour is probably related with the fact that our instructor is a mathematical physicist.
What I also liked is the little taste of Holography (AdS/CFT mostly) we got in an elective course. It's awesome to see how really involved calculations become rather easy when switching between the field theory and it's gravity dual.
On the more 'practical' side of the spectrum, non-equilibrium stat. mech. was great to study as well. Although I'm a long way of really grasping all subtleties.
-Joris
I really like mathematically beautiful theories, this I've learned the past year while studying GR and analytical mechanics (the manifold kind). A course in QM I'm studying now has my full attention as well. The level of mathematical rigour is probably related with the fact that our instructor is a mathematical physicist.
What I also liked is the little taste of Holography (AdS/CFT mostly) we got in an elective course. It's awesome to see how really involved calculations become rather easy when switching between the field theory and it's gravity dual.
On the more 'practical' side of the spectrum, non-equilibrium stat. mech. was great to study as well. Although I'm a long way of really grasping all subtleties.
-Joris
- #5
WannabeNewton
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For me it is GR with statistical mechanics a close second.
- #6
Matterwave
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Homework Helper
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General relativity, although I am not very good at it! T_T
- #7
ZombieFeynman
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Topological Field Theory is the area I would like most to learn more about
- #8
ZetaOfThree
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That's tough, but I'd say it's classical electrodynamics for me. Then probably stat mech for second.
- #9
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Since my first physics lecture I always had a special place in my heart for "measurements and units".
- #10
George Jones
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- #11
WannabeNewton
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George Jones said:
Oh very nice, thank you! A proper GR book by Choquet-Bruhat is definitely awesome, her other GR book was too hard for me. But I can't buy this for a while because I just dropped some 80 bucks on Eric Poisson's new book on GR and Post-Newtonian mechanics, which you should definitely check out because the book is extremely, extremely good and is lush with calculations. The title is "Gravity: Newtonian, Post-Newtonian, Relativistic".
- #12
DennisN
Gold Member
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Alexander*GR* said:
I like most (probably all
) branches of physics, since I seem to have had a fundamental interest in physics all my life. What I mean is that I haven't yet stumbled upon an area which I found uninteresting. But I am a layman; I have studied basic classical physics and basic experimental physics, beyond that I have studied some other physics on my own, because I felt like it (I couldn't keep away from it).But if I had to choose some favorite branches, let's say three, the first one would be particle physics. I've been interested in it since I first saw a picture of the atom (Bohr model) at age 13 ca. I haven't lost my interest in particles since then. And I'm still learning...
The second favorite would be quantum physics, and the third one would be astrophysics/cosmology.
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- #13
DiracPool
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I'm kind of all over the map as a general rule, but currently I am really interested in special relativity and the concept of quantum mechanical linear vector spaces.
- #14
leroyjenkens
- 621
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If I was to go to graduate school, I'd choose something that doesn't involve quantum mechanics. I took a quantum mechanics class and I was lost. I passed somehow, but I just did not understand it. The problem, though, is that if you want to get involved in any physics field, it seems like you're going to have to know at least a little bit about quantum mechanics. It's how the universe works.
- #15
NATURE.M
- 298
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I'd say fluid mechanics, thermal physics, and optics (namely lasers).
Definitely the more applied areas.
Definitely the more applied areas.
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- #16
ShayanJ
Science Advisor
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General Relativity and its alternatives
Quantum field theories and Quantum gravity
Foundational and philosophical issues related to quantum mechanics, measurement problem and a little quantum information and quantum computing
Quantum field theories and Quantum gravity
Foundational and philosophical issues related to quantum mechanics, measurement problem and a little quantum information and quantum computing
- #17
B. Elliott
- 264
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Fluid dynamics (Engine and airframe related) and general astronomy with a touch of planetary geology and paleontology.
- #18
Mr-R
- 123
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Special and General Relativity. Interest is growing for Statistical mechanics and Fluid dynamics.
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