Physicist — Safekipedia Discoverer

A physicist is a scientist who studies physics, the science that explores how matter and energy interact. Physicists try to understand the basic reasons behind natural events and often use math to describe their ideas. They work on many different topics, from very tiny particles to the entire universe.

Albert Einstein, a key theoretical physicist in the twentieth century who developed the theory of relativity and parts of early quantum theory

There are two main kinds of physicists. Experimental physicists conduct experiments to observe how nature works, while theoretical physicists use math to create models that explain and predict natural events.

Physicists play an important role in creating new technologies and solving real-world problems. Their work has led to many inventions and advancements that improve our daily lives.

History

For broader coverage of this topic, see History of physics.

In an 18th-century experiment in "natural philosophy" (later to be called "physics") English scientist Francis Hauksbee works with an early electrostatic generator.

Physics has grown from ideas shared by ancient cultures to the complex science we know today. Early thinkers in places like Babylonian astronomers, Egyptian engineers, and among Greek philosophers helped form the basis of physics. Later, during the Islamic medieval period, important steps in scientific methods were taken.

The modern shape of physics began during Europe's Scientific Revolution. Great scientists like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, and Johannes Kepler made big discoveries. Their work led to important theories such as Newton's laws of motion. In more recent times, new ideas in areas like quantum mechanics and physical cosmology have expanded our understanding of the universe.

Education

A physics education helps students understand how the world works through subjects like classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, optics, and statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Students also study math, including calculus and differential equations, and learn about computer science.

To become a physicist, you usually need at least an undergraduate degree in physics. Having a master's degree opens up more job opportunities. If you want to do research, you might pursue a doctoral degree in areas such as astrophysics, atomic physics, biophysics, or particle physics.

Careers

Experimental physicists at work at the accelerator laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä (Finland)

Physicists can work in many different places, such as schools, laboratories, and companies, with companies being the most common. In schools or government labs, they might have titles like Assistant or Professor. According to the American Institute of Physics, many new physics doctors work in engineering, computer software, or education.

Physicists can have many job titles, including Agricultural Scientist, Biophysicist, Computer Programmer, Electrical Engineer, Environmental Analyst, Geophysicist, Medical Physicist, Meteorologist, Oceanographer, Physics Teacher, Research Scientist, and Software Engineer, among others. Those with master's or doctoral degrees often do research, analyze data, and develop new equipment or software.

Honors and awards

Further information: List of Nobel laureates in Physics

The biggest award for physicists is the Nobel Prize in Physics, given out every year since 1901 by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Many countries have their own groups for physicists that give out prizes and awards. For example, the American Physical Society has many different prizes and awards for physicists.

Professional certification

In the United Kingdom, a Chartered Physicist (CPhys) is a special title given by the Institute of Physics. It shows that someone has a lot of knowledge and skill in physics.

In Canada, there is a title called Professional Physicist (P. Phys.). To earn this, a physicist needs a university degree in physics and some years of work experience in the field.

South Africa also has a Professional Physicist certification, which requires a degree in physics and several years of related work experience.

Professional societies

Physicists can join special groups called physical societies. These societies often publish science magazines, host big meetings about physics, and give out awards for great work in physics. Some well-known physical societies include the American Physical Society, the Institute of Physics, and the German Physical Society.