Physics Questions about physics specializations

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Most physicists are not exclusively specialized in particle physics; the largest subfield is actually condensed matter physics. While prominent figures like Leonard Susskind may teach and discuss multiple topics, their depth of knowledge in each area varies significantly compared to specialists. A professional physicist typically has a foundational understanding of all physics branches, with their research defining their specialization. The curriculum for graduate students often includes a broad range of topics, allowing for a comprehensive grasp of the field. Pursuing studies in general relativity and quantum mechanics together is feasible, as many physicists have a background in multiple areas.
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Why are most physicists today specialized in particle physics? do most of the physics advancements today have to do with particle physics or something? I thought about specializing in GR but i have no idea whether it's a good choice because most physicists i see in the media are particle physicists i don't know why..
and one more question that has kept me wondering.. I was watching lectures by Leonard Susskind on youtube and he had lectures on various topics, like GR, quantum theory, cosmology, string theory.. he knew a lot of details in each of them, I thought you can specialize and teach one branch, so what's going on? seems like he had studied all of them to me.. so I can study GR and QM together?
 
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Abidal Sala said:
Why are most physicists today specialized in particle physics?

They aren't. The largest subfield is condensed matter.
 
Abidal Sala said:
I was watching lectures by Leonard Susskind on youtube and he had lectures on various topics, like GR, quantum theory, cosmology, string theory.. he knew a lot of details in each of them, I thought you can specialize and teach one branch, so what's going on? seems like he had studied all of them to me.. so I can study GR and QM in together?

I'm willing the bet that the amount of detail he gave is probably nothing compared to the amount of detail a specialist in anyone of those fields is required to know. I mean no disrespect to you, but the ocean may seem infinitely large if you've never left the shore.

Also, the total combination of the topics you mentioned could easily be the curriculum for the second-year graduate student of physics. A professional physicist is expected to have a "basic" understanding of "all" of physics; his research sets his specialization.

What "basic" and "all" means is open to interpretation and debate.
 
It's not very nice to modify your question after people have started answering it.
 
cmos said:
I'm willing the bet that the amount of detail he gave is probably nothing compared to the amount of detail a specialist in anyone of those fields is required to know. I mean no disrespect to you, but the ocean may seem infinitely large if you've never left the shore.

Also, the total combination of the topics you mentioned could easily be the curriculum for the second-year graduate student of physics. A professional physicist is expected to have a "basic" understanding of "all" of physics; his research sets his specialization.

What "basic" and "all" means is open to interpretation and debate.

that was my best guess, because I know some engineer majors actually take some basic quantum mechanics which won't make them specialists.. so apparently Leonard studied and had a little background in each topic..
and there's no 'disrespect' at all lol I am just a freshman here, all i have seen is high schools physics.. I'm going to physics college next year and willing to continue till Ph.D, that's why I am asking those questions.

Your input was useful, thanks!
 
Vanadium 50 said:
It's not very nice to modify your question after people have started answering it.

sorry there was a typo, see the last two words in cmos' quotation
 
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