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Physicist: Difference between revisions
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A '''physicist''' is a [[scientist]] who specializes in the field of [[physics]], which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe.<ref name="Rosen">{{cite book|last=Rosen|first=Joe|title=Encyclopedia of Physics|publisher=Infobase Publishing|page=247}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|physicist}} "a scientist who studies or is a specialist in physics"</ref> Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate causes of [[Phenomenon|phenomena]], and usually frame their understanding in mathematical terms. They work across a wide range of [[Physics#Research fields|research fields]], spanning all length scales: from [[atom|sub-atomic]] and [[particle physics]], through [[biological physics]], to [[physical cosmology|cosmological]] length scales encompassing the [[universe]] as a whole. The field generally includes two types of physicists: [[Experimental physics|experimental physicists]] who specialize in the observation of natural phenomena and the development and analysis of experiments, and [[Theoretical physics|theoretical physicists]] who specialize in mathematical modeling of physical systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena.<ref name="Rosen" /> | A '''physicist''' is a [[scientist]] who specializes in the field of [[physics]], which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe.<ref name="Rosen">{{cite book|last=Rosen|first=Joe|date=2009|title=Encyclopedia of Physics|publisher=Infobase Publishing|page=247}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|physicist}} "a scientist who studies or is a specialist in physics"</ref> Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate causes of [[Phenomenon|phenomena]], and usually frame their understanding in mathematical terms. They work across a wide range of [[Physics#Research fields|research fields]], spanning all length scales: from [[atom|sub-atomic]] and [[particle physics]], through [[biological physics]], to [[physical cosmology|cosmological]] length scales encompassing the [[universe]] as a whole. The field generally includes two types of physicists: [[Experimental physics|experimental physicists]] who specialize in the observation of natural phenomena and the development and analysis of experiments, and [[Theoretical physics|theoretical physicists]] who specialize in mathematical modeling of physical systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena.<ref name="Rosen" /> | ||
Physicists can apply their knowledge towards solving practical problems or to developing new technologies (also known as [[applied physics]] or [[engineering physics]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap9.pdf|title=Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing in Physics|publisher=American Institute for Physics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap7.pdf|title=Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing in Engineering|publisher=American Institute for Physics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap11.pdf|title=Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing outside of STEM sectors|publisher=American Institute for Physics}}</ref> | Physicists can apply their knowledge towards solving practical problems or to developing new technologies (also known as [[applied physics]] or [[engineering physics]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap9.pdf|title=Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing in Physics|date=October 2016|publisher=American Institute for Physics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap7.pdf|title=Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing in Engineering|date=October 2016|publisher=American Institute for Physics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap11.pdf|title=Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing outside of STEM sectors|date=October 2016|publisher=American Institute for Physics}}</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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The study and practice of physics is based on an intellectual ladder of discoveries and insights from ancient times to the present. Many mathematical and physical ideas used today found their earliest expression in the work of ancient civilizations, such as the [[Babylonian astronomy|Babylonian astronomers]] and [[Ancient Egyptian technology|Egyptian engineers]], the Greek philosophers of science and mathematicians such as [[Thales of Miletus]], [[Euclid]] in [[Ptolemaic Egypt]], [[Archimedes of Syracuse]] and [[Aristarchus of Samos]]. Roots also emerged in ancient Asian cultures such as India and China, and particularly the [[Physics in the medieval Islamic world|Islamic medieval period]], which saw the development of [[scientific methodology]] emphasising [[experimentation]], such as the work of [[Ibn al-Haytham]] (Alhazen) in the 11th century. The modern scientific worldview and the bulk of physics education can be said to flow from the [[scientific revolution]] in Europe, starting with the work of astronomer [[Nicolaus Copernicus]] leading to the physics of [[Galileo Galilei]] and [[Johannes Kepler]] in the early 1600s. The work on [[mechanics]], along with a [[mathematical physics|mathematical treatment]] of physical systems, was further developed by [[Christiaan Huygens]] and culminated in [[Newton's laws of motion]] and [[Newton's law of universal gravitation]] by the end of the 17th century. The experimental discoveries of [[Faraday]] and the theory of [[Maxwell's equations]] of electromagnetism were developmental high points during the 19th century. Many physicists contributed to the development of [[quantum mechanics]] in the early-to-mid 20th century. New knowledge in the early 21st century includes a large increase in understanding [[physical cosmology]]. | The study and practice of physics is based on an intellectual ladder of discoveries and insights from ancient times to the present. Many mathematical and physical ideas used today found their earliest expression in the work of ancient civilizations, such as the [[Babylonian astronomy|Babylonian astronomers]] and [[Ancient Egyptian technology|Egyptian engineers]], the Greek philosophers of science and mathematicians such as [[Thales of Miletus]], [[Euclid]] in [[Ptolemaic Egypt]], [[Archimedes of Syracuse]] and [[Aristarchus of Samos]]. Roots also emerged in ancient Asian cultures such as India and China, and particularly the [[Physics in the medieval Islamic world|Islamic medieval period]], which saw the development of [[scientific methodology]] emphasising [[experimentation]], such as the work of [[Ibn al-Haytham]] (Alhazen) in the 11th century. The modern scientific worldview and the bulk of physics education can be said to flow from the [[scientific revolution]] in Europe, starting with the work of astronomer [[Nicolaus Copernicus]] leading to the physics of [[Galileo Galilei]] and [[Johannes Kepler]] in the early 1600s. The work on [[mechanics]], along with a [[mathematical physics|mathematical treatment]] of physical systems, was further developed by [[Christiaan Huygens]] and culminated in [[Newton's laws of motion]] and [[Newton's law of universal gravitation]] by the end of the 17th century. The experimental discoveries of [[Faraday]] and the theory of [[Maxwell's equations]] of electromagnetism were developmental high points during the 19th century. Many physicists contributed to the development of [[quantum mechanics]] in the early-to-mid 20th century. New knowledge in the early 21st century includes a large increase in understanding [[physical cosmology]]. | ||
The broad and general study of nature, [[natural philosophy]], was divided into several fields in the 19th century, when the concept of "science" received its modern shape. Specific categories emerged, such as "biology" and "biologist", "physics" and "physicist", "chemistry" and "chemist", among other technical fields and titles.<ref name="Cahan Natural Philosophy">{{cite book|editor1-last=Cahan |editor1-first=David|title=From Natural Philosophy to the Sciences: Writing the History of Nineteenth-Century Science|publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |isbn=0-226-08928-2}}</ref> The term ''physicist'' was coined by [[William Whewell]] (also the originator of the term "scientist") in his 1840 book ''The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences''.<ref>Donald S. L. Cardwell, James Joule: A Biography, Manchester University Press - 1989, page 18</ref> | The broad and general study of nature, [[natural philosophy]], was divided into several fields in the 19th century, when the concept of "science" received its modern shape. Specific categories emerged, such as "biology" and "biologist", "physics" and "physicist", "chemistry" and "chemist", among other technical fields and titles.<ref name="Cahan Natural Philosophy">{{cite book|editor1-last=Cahan |editor1-first=David|title=From Natural Philosophy to the Sciences: Writing the History of Nineteenth-Century Science|date=2003|publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |isbn=0-226-08928-2}}</ref> The term ''physicist'' was coined by [[William Whewell]] (also the originator of the term "scientist") in his 1840 book ''The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences''.<ref>Donald S. L. Cardwell, James Joule: A Biography, Manchester University Press - 1989, page 18</ref> | ||
==Education== | ==Education== | ||
A standard undergraduate physics curriculum consists of [[classical mechanics]], [[Electromagnetism|electricity and magnetism]], non-relativistic [[quantum mechanics]], [[optics]], [[Thermal physics|statistical mechanics and thermodynamics]], and laboratory experience.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wachter|first1=Armin|last2=Hoeber|first2=Henning|title=Compendium of Theoretical Physics|publisher=Springer|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-387-25799-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Krey|first1=Uwe|last2=Owen|first2=Anthony|title=Basic Theoretical Physics : A concise overview|publisher=Springer|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3-540-36804-5|edition=1st}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kompaneyets|first1=Alexander Solomonovich |title=Theoretical physics|publisher=Dover|location=Mineola, New York|isbn=978-0-486-60972-0|edition=2nd}}</ref> Physics students also need training in mathematics ([[calculus]], [[differential equation]]s, [[linear algebra]], [[complex analysis]], etc.), and in [[computer science]]. | A standard undergraduate physics curriculum consists of [[classical mechanics]], [[Electromagnetism|electricity and magnetism]], non-relativistic [[quantum mechanics]], [[optics]], [[Thermal physics|statistical mechanics and thermodynamics]], and laboratory experience.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wachter|first1=Armin|last2=Hoeber|first2=Henning|title=Compendium of Theoretical Physics|date=2006|publisher=Springer|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-387-25799-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Krey|first1=Uwe|last2=Owen|first2=Anthony|title=Basic Theoretical Physics : A concise overview|date=2007|publisher=Springer|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3-540-36804-5|edition=1st}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Kompaneyets|first1=Alexander Solomonovich |title=Theoretical physics|date=2012|publisher=Dover|location=Mineola, New York|isbn=978-0-486-60972-0|edition=2nd}}</ref> Physics students also need training in mathematics ([[calculus]], [[differential equation]]s, [[linear algebra]], [[complex analysis]], etc.), and in [[computer science]]. | ||
Any physics-oriented career position requires at least an undergraduate degree in physics or applied physics, while career options widen with a [[ | Any physics-oriented career position requires at least an undergraduate degree in physics or applied physics, while career options widen with a [[master's degree]] like MSc, MPhil, MPhys or MSci.<ref name="NCS">{{cite web |url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/physicist |title=Physicist |date=7 October 2016 |website=nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk |publisher=National Careers Service, United Kingdom}}</ref> | ||
For research-oriented careers, students work toward a [[doctoral degree]] specializing in a particular field. Fields of specialization include experimental and theoretical [[astrophysics]], [[atomic physics]], [[biological physics]], [[chemical physics]], [[condensed matter physics]], [[cosmology]], [[geophysics]], [[Gravity|gravitational physics]], [[Materials science|material science]], [[medical physics]], [[microelectronics]], [[molecular physics]], [[nuclear physics]], [[optics]], [[particle physics]], [[Plasma (physics)|plasma physics]], [[quantum information|quantum information science]], and [[radiophysics]]. | For research-oriented careers, students work toward a [[doctoral degree]] specializing in a particular field. Fields of specialization include experimental and theoretical [[astrophysics]], [[atomic physics]], [[biological physics]], [[chemical physics]], [[condensed matter physics]], [[cosmology]], [[geophysics]], [[Gravity|gravitational physics]], [[Materials science|material science]], [[medical physics]], [[microelectronics]], [[molecular physics]], [[nuclear physics]], [[optics]], [[particle physics]], [[Plasma (physics)|plasma physics]], [[quantum information|quantum information science]], and [[radiophysics]]. | ||
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[[File:Fyysikot_työssään.jpg|thumb|right|Experimental physicists at work at the accelerator laboratory of the [[University of Jyväskylä]] (Finland)]] | [[File:Fyysikot_työssään.jpg|thumb|right|Experimental physicists at work at the accelerator laboratory of the [[University of Jyväskylä]] (Finland)]] | ||
The three major employers of career physicists are academic institutions, laboratories, and private industries, with the largest employer being the last. Physicists in academia or government labs tend to have titles such as Assistants, [[Professor]]s, Sr./Jr. Scientist, or [[Postdoctoral researcher|postdocs]]. As per the [[American Institute of Physics]], some 20% of new physics Ph.D.s holds jobs in engineering development programs, while 14% turn to computer software and about 11% are in business/education.<ref>{{cite web | author=AIP Statistical Research Center | url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap11.pdf | title=Industrially Employed Physicists: Primarily in Non-STEM Fields | access-date=August 21, 2006}}</ref> A majority of physicists employed apply their skills and training to interdisciplinary sectors (e.g. [[finance]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8461f5e6-35f5-11e3-952b-00144feab7de |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/8461f5e6-35f5-11e3-952b-00144feab7de |archive-date=2022-12-10 |url-access=subscription |title=Physicists and the Financial Markets|newspaper=Financial Times }}</ref>).<ref>American Institute for Physics (AIP) Statistical Research Center Report [https://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/physics-doctorates-initial-employment-0 Physics Doctorates Initial Employment] published March 2016.</ref> | The three major employers of career physicists are academic institutions, laboratories, and private industries, with the largest employer being the last. Physicists in academia or government labs tend to have titles such as Assistants, [[Professor]]s, Sr./Jr. Scientist, or [[Postdoctoral researcher|postdocs]]. As per the [[American Institute of Physics]], some 20% of new physics Ph.D.s holds jobs in engineering development programs, while 14% turn to computer software and about 11% are in business/education.<ref>{{cite web | author=AIP Statistical Research Center | url=https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap11.pdf | title=Industrially Employed Physicists: Primarily in Non-STEM Fields | access-date=August 21, 2006}}</ref> A majority of physicists employed apply their skills and training to interdisciplinary sectors (e.g. [[finance]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8461f5e6-35f5-11e3-952b-00144feab7de |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/8461f5e6-35f5-11e3-952b-00144feab7de |archive-date=2022-12-10 |url-access=subscription |title=Physicists and the Financial Markets|newspaper=Financial Times |date=18 October 2013}}</ref>).<ref>American Institute for Physics (AIP) Statistical Research Center Report [https://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/physics-doctorates-initial-employment-0 Physics Doctorates Initial Employment] published March 2016.</ref> | ||
Job titles for graduate physicists include [[Agricultural scientist|Agricultural Scientist]], [[Air traffic controller|Air Traffic Controller]], [[Biophysics|Biophysicist]], [[Computer programmer|Computer Programmer]], [[Electrical Engineer]], [[Environmental analyst|Environmental Analyst]], [[Geophysicist]], [[Medical physicist|Medical Physicist]], [[Meteorologist]], [[Oceanographer]], [[Physics teacher|Physics Teacher]]/[[Professor]]/[[Researcher]], [[Research Scientist]], [[Reactor physics|Reactor Physicist]], [[Engineering physicist|Engineering Physicist]], [[Satellite]] Missions Analyst, [[Science writer|Science Writer]], [[Stratigrapher]], [[Software engineer|Software Engineer]], [[Systems Engineer]], [[Microelectronic Engineering|Microelectronics Engineer]], [[Radar]] Developer, Technical Consultant, etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.augusta.edu/scimath/chemistryandphysics/documents/physicshandout.pdf|title=What can I do with a degree in Physics?|publisher=Augusta University|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=November 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102165226/http://www.augusta.edu/scimath/chemistryandphysics/documents/physicshandout.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://science.iit.edu/physics/research-technical|title=Physicist Career Opportunities|publisher=Illinois Institute of Technology|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineergirl.org/cms/6071.aspx|title=Physics Education, Applied to Engineering|publisher=National Academy of Engineering (NAE)|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfu.ca/engineering/current-students/undergraduate-students/programs-and-requirements/engineering-physics.html|title=Engineering Physicist careers|publisher=Simon Fraser University, Canada|access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> | Job titles for graduate physicists include [[Agricultural scientist|Agricultural Scientist]], [[Air traffic controller|Air Traffic Controller]], [[Biophysics|Biophysicist]], [[Computer programmer|Computer Programmer]], [[Electrical Engineer]], [[Environmental analyst|Environmental Analyst]], [[Geophysicist]], [[Medical physicist|Medical Physicist]], [[Meteorologist]], [[Oceanographer]], [[Physics teacher|Physics Teacher]]/[[Professor]]/[[Researcher]], [[Research Scientist]], [[Reactor physics|Reactor Physicist]], [[Engineering physicist|Engineering Physicist]], [[Satellite]] Missions Analyst, [[Science writer|Science Writer]], [[Stratigrapher]], [[Software engineer|Software Engineer]], [[Systems Engineer]], [[Microelectronic Engineering|Microelectronics Engineer]], [[Radar]] Developer, Technical Consultant, etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.augusta.edu/scimath/chemistryandphysics/documents/physicshandout.pdf|title=What can I do with a degree in Physics?|date=2016|publisher=Augusta University|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-date=November 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102165226/http://www.augusta.edu/scimath/chemistryandphysics/documents/physicshandout.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://science.iit.edu/physics/research-technical|title=Physicist Career Opportunities|date=2016|publisher=Illinois Institute of Technology|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineergirl.org/cms/6071.aspx|title=Physics Education, Applied to Engineering|date=2016|publisher=National Academy of Engineering (NAE)|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfu.ca/engineering/current-students/undergraduate-students/programs-and-requirements/engineering-physics.html|title=Engineering Physicist careers|date=2016|publisher=Simon Fraser University, Canada|access-date=February 27, 2017}}</ref> | ||
The majority of Physics terminal bachelor's degree holders are employed in the private sector. Other fields are academia, government and military service, nonprofit entities, labs and teaching.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aip.org/statistics/pie |title=Initial Employment Sectors of Physics Bachelor's, Classes of 2011 & 2012 Combined|publisher=American Institute of Physics |access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref> | The majority of Physics terminal bachelor's degree holders are employed in the private sector. Other fields are academia, government and military service, nonprofit entities, labs and teaching.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aip.org/statistics/pie |title=Initial Employment Sectors of Physics Bachelor's, Classes of 2011 & 2012 Combined|date=26 August 2013|publisher=American Institute of Physics |access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref> | ||
Typical duties of physicists with master's and doctoral degrees working in their domain involve research, observation and analysis, data preparation, instrumentation, design and development of industrial or medical equipment, [[computing]] and software development, etc.<ref name="NOC2111">{{cite web|url=http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=2&val1=2111|title=2111 Physicists and astronomers|publisher=National Occupational Classification - Canada|access-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111125832/http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=2&val1=2111|archive-date=November 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | Typical duties of physicists with master's and doctoral degrees working in their domain involve research, observation and analysis, data preparation, instrumentation, design and development of industrial or medical equipment, [[computing]] and software development, etc.<ref name="NOC2111">{{cite web|url=http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=2&val1=2111|title=2111 Physicists and astronomers|date=2016|publisher=National Occupational Classification - Canada|access-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111125832/http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=2&val1=2111|archive-date=November 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
==Honors and awards== | ==Honors and awards== | ||