Studying Where shall I start? (16 y/o wanting to become quantum physicist)

[bob012345]

The only thing you have to do right now is to tell your teachers and parents what your dream is and do well where you are now. Maybe ask your school librarian for some books to scan to see how interested you really are.

 

[berkeman]

Maybe ask your school librarian for some books to scan to see how interested you really are.

I'm pretty sure if he does that he will get in trouble. Librarians take copyright violation pretty seriously...

 

[phinds]

I'm pretty sure if he does that he will get in trouble. Librarians take copyright violation pretty seriously...

English is such fun. Scan vs scan. Read vs copy.

 

[berkeman]

English is such fun. Scan vs scan. Read vs copy.

I think in this case, "scan" was a malapropism for "skim".

 

[bob012345]

I'm pretty sure if he does that he will get in trouble. Librarians take copyright violation pretty seriously...

I meant scan with eyes, like peruse, not make a copy!

 

[phinds]

I meant scan with eyes, like peruse, not make a copy!

Yeah, but I think @berkeman is right, you did NOT actually mean "scan" (read in detail w/ great care), you meant "skim" (look over briefly to get a sense of).

 

[bob012345]

Yeah, but I think @berkeman is right, you did NOT actually mean "scan" (read in detail w/ great care), you meant "skim" (look over briefly to get a sense of).

Perhaps, but I can see using both words. My usage was more common speaking and not what an English teacher might say.

https://ejoy-english.com/blog/differences-between-skimming-and-scanning/

 

[berkeman]

Perhaps, but I can see using both words. My usage was more common speaking and not what an English teacher might say.

https://ejoy-english.com/blog/differences-between-skimming-and-scanning/

But the point is that the word choice goes beyond just a simple benign choice sometimes. Sometimes it has ramifications/problems in one form that the other form does not have.

In this case, the term "skim" a book is pretty benign, whereas "scan" a book has the alternative meaning that can involve copyright violations (bad).

Similarly, if you go to buy gas at the gas station, and go inside and the attendant says "Can I skim your credit card" instead of "Can I scan your credit card", that has negative connotations as well, no?

(to the OP -- sorry for the hijack of your great thread. We'll stop soon...)

 

[bob012345]

But the point is that the word choice goes beyond just a simple benign choice sometimes. Sometimes it has ramifications/problems in one form that the other form does not have.

In this case, the term "skim" a book is pretty benign, whereas "scan" a book has the alternative meaning that can involve copyright violations (bad).

Similarly, if you go to buy gas at the gas station, and go inside and the attendant says "Can I skim your credit card" instead of "Can I scan your credit card", that has negative connotations as well, no?

(to the OP -- sorry for the hijack of your great thread. We'll stop soon...)

I'm not arguing but I found this definition. The word can be either to glance at or minute study. A synonym is skim.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/scan

verb (used with object), scanned, scan·ning.​

1) to glance at or over or read hastily:to scan a page.
2) to examine the particulars or points of minutely; scrutinize.

So I meant #1 originally.

 

[golda_a]

I am a 16 years old boy who have adream to become quantum physicist but IAM also aboy who doesn't know the beginningof the road so I thought maybe some comments will be helpful so tell me where shall I start?

Coursera has a great course on quantum mechanics. I'm 17 and i did it recently.

 

[yjjiang]

Physicists generally fall into many categories these days, like condensed matter (formerly called solid state) physics, nuclear physics, high energy (formerly called particle physics), astrophysics, plasma physics, geophysics, acousticians, and perhaps a few other branches. Most of these branches use quantum mechanics as a tool. Almost no physicist (perhaps none) is called a "quantum" physicist.
Physicists mostly lead a life full of challenges, whether they end up in a field where quantum mechanics is used often, or not. You can be motivated by many life stories of people who engaged this exciting career. In addition, many mathematicians, engineers, and scientists also learn quantum mechanics, and end up in satisfying careers, as well.
As others have stated in this forum, you will need good grades in all scientific subjects in school, including the life sciences like biology, and all mathematics courses. It is not a good idea to focus too early on "quantum physics" because it may blind you to opportunities where your strengths and interests may lie. Instead, try to regard all sciences with fascination. Seek out motivating teachers, and learn from them.

I believe this is the best advice. In addition, we probably need a lot of quantum computer (QC) programmers in 5-10 years. I'd think a high school student who has learned some Python should be able to start learning QC programming.
https://qiskit.org/learn/
The math needed is not that much to start programming. Quantum theory is easy when you know how to work with the abstract mathematic symbols but is hard for people to understand intuitively.