What is Physics research: Definition and 89 Discussions

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. M

    Physics What are my chances of getting a job in actual physics research?

    I'm looking at universities to go to next September. I'm still quite torn between theoretical physics and particle physics. In an absolutely ideal world, my plan is to do my masters, then a PhD and my dream job would be a university professor, or at least working in physics research. I know...
  2. S

    Schools Ranking US Universities according to their physics research

    Hello I have asked similar questions in the past but am having a lot of trouble with this!: I am welcoming all advice on finding good official ranking tables of US Universities according to the quality and volume (and perhaps other metrics as well!) of their scientific research. For...
  3. G

    Schools Physics research experience high school

    How can a high school student, such as myself gain research experience? I'm not talking about anything overly impressive. I am just talking about possibly doing something along the lines of a research mentor-ship with a physicist from a local university or something. Am i already asking too...
  4. K

    Astro Physics Research for Undergrads

    Hey guys, I'm studying in my final year, physics as an undergraduate student, and we have to complete a research project for the finals. Our course length is 2 months. I'm deeply interested in astro physics and cosmology. Any new topics that i can consider as an research topic?
  5. S

    Physics Experiment for high school physics relating to University physics research

    Hi I need to do a presentation at university; relating to high level physics research presented to final year high school students and it needs to include an experiment or demonstration Any ideas ? Experiments ?
  6. R

    Physics research paper database

    In medicine and biology they have Medline which is a complete database of research papers---kind of a complete search engine of research papers in medicine and biology---which has free access to public. Is there anything comparable to this in physics---...
  7. M

    Need assistance on my physics research paper.

    I'm currently in high school Physics B AP, and we have been given a research project in which we can pick our own topic. The topic I have chosen to research is the Higgs boson, commonly known as the "god particle". We have to write a research paper (5-7 pages only), create a physical model of...
  8. I

    Ideas for Physics Research Proposal?

    It's not really a "problem", but I want to do research in physics over the summer for my school, and I am having some trouble thinking of good research proposal ideas. In other words, I don't know what I should do! I am interested in Nuclear physics, as well as nuclear engineering and...
  9. I

    How is Physics Research Funded and Compared to Other Natural Sciences?

    I am interested in understanding how Physics research is funded and which particular sub-fields as well as categories (.e. theoretical vis a vis experimental/observational) are preferentially funded today as well as historically (e.g. during WWII and the Cold War era, particle physics was...
  10. L

    Wanted to Change over careers to Physics Research at Age of 22 is it too late?

    Wanted to Change over careers to Physics Research at Age of 22 is it too late?? Hey I am 22 yrs old and graduated from School with pretty good grades, but due to certain problems had to discontinue my education and had to start working. Although i tried not to lose touch with the books. I...
  11. W

    Any Ideas for a Good Physics Research/ Report Project

    Hi, I am trying to think of a really interesting physics topic to do a research & report project (basically an essay) on for my a level physics course work. I have got to come up with a title in the form of a question to write approx 2000 words on. I am finding it really difficult to think of...
  12. J

    Programs Will a Math degree be applicable to Physics research?

    Hello Everyone. I am currently working on a BS in Mathematics and I am also doing some physics coursework. I am fairly sure that I am going to pursue Math up to the graduate level. My ultimate goal is to do some sort of research that adds something to our understanding of the physical universe...
  13. D

    Physics Choosing a Major & Minor for Theoretical Physics Research

    My ultimate goal is to become a theoretical physicist (after I have received my PhD)researching at a university. I am currently looking at majors and minors available for me as an undergrad. I was thinking of majoring in physics, and making my minor, mathematics? What are your thoughts on what I...
  14. S

    Physics research ideas for beginners

    Hello everyone, I'm just a college guy studying mechanical engineering and I'm very much keen to do something in physics. I've done a little search about a starting point from where i could start doing some physics stuff. I've also posted here some weeks before hoping i'd get something solid...
  15. O

    Quick question about theoretical physics research

    What is it? By that I mean what does it consist of? My understanding is that experimental physics research is performing experiments and recording observations, then drawing conclusion from that. Is theoretical physics research then just locking yourself in a room and posing problems...
  16. P

    What Can Undergrads Do in Physics Research?

    As an undergrad involved in physics research, what all can you really do? I can think of three things: -Programming -Experimental measurement -Building things in the machine shop What else should be added to this list, and what other useful skills are there to have as an undergrad for...
  17. G

    Exploring the Balance of Physics Research vs Coursework in the U.S.

    It it normal to like physics research better than solving problems for coursework? Is physics coursework in the U.S. is too problem-solving oriented? Thanks
  18. K

    Schools Are there any U.S. universities accpeting GPA 2.3 undergrad for physics research?

    Are there any U.S. universities/colleges accepting GPA 2.3 undergrad for physics research(free of charge)? I heard that MPhil and Phd is free of charge(no tuition fee) as working as a T.A. or R.A. Can you give me some names/lists? If this is not right can you send me a message? Thanks...
  19. K

    Physics research without knowlegde of chemistry

    I did not study chemistry in high school and i finished my year-1 study of physics and math in college. I want to do research in Physics after i finish undergrad. 1.My first choice will be Quantum Physics. However i have no chemistry knowlegde so i might not be able to do condensed matter...
  20. J

    Investing in current physics research

    This is a less scientific question than usually, but still relevant. We have been asked to quickly decide on two specific areas of current physics research in which we will later research and do an assignment on. I have gone through numerous hours of research and cannot find some...
  21. E

    Interesting Physics research topics

    I'm afraid the template for homework help doesn't quite apply here since my problem is the lack of a problem in itself. I'm an International Baccalaureate student, and I've decided to do a research topic (about 4000 words) on physics. I need help with this. I'm looking for suggestions for...
  22. P

    Uncertain on which subjects to take for career in Physics research

    G'day everyone, I haven't posted in the forums for quite a while. I just wanted to get some advice on coursework for my Honours year of study. The year is structured with 1 semester of coursework (6 units) and 1 semester of research. I started mid-year last year and will be doing coursework...
  23. K

    Schools Physics Research Project Ideas, College Level

    I am a senior level physicist at the University of Alabama: Huntsville and I am going to do my physics research starting next semester. I need some serious, interesting, and fun ideas on what to focus on. Thus far I have had upper level mechanics, intermediate relativity, all calculus and...
  24. Redbelly98

    Physics Research Report: Ugh, No One Would Care Anyway

    Full story is here: http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/report_ugh_no_one_would
  25. S

    How do you submit and protect your physics research

    I've spent ages working out physics based equations and believe they are currently developed to the point at which they are ready for publishing and review. At this point I am both a bit lost and afraid. Lost in that I don't know where to submit to as I do not have ivy league institution...
  26. B

    Interesting comment about medical research vs. physics research

    I caught this in the NY Times: http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/health/research/28cancer.html?sort=oldest&offset=4 The article focuses on cancer research, but the conclusions can be applied to all medical research. As the article correctly pointed out...
  27. B

    Theoretical particle physics research - simulations and theory

    I have just embarked upon a PhD in Lattice QCD. I'm wondering, what is research like in other areas of theoretical particle physics? Lattice is highly computational and fairly light on theory so it seems a lot of people in the field spend quite a bit of time making/updating and running large...
  28. M

    Cannon Fire! Senior Physics Research Project

    Cannon Fire! Can anyone please help me figre this one out; A senior physics class conducting a research project on projectile motion constructs a device that can launch a cricket ball. The launching device is designed so that the ball can be launced at ground level with an initial velocity...
  29. R

    Bell Labs Kills Fundamental Physics Research

    http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/08/bell-labs-kills.html" Six Nobel-prize worthy research came from that lab, including the invention of the silicon transistor, and the laser! It was a business decision by the parent company but, I think it's a very myopic business decision to abandon...
  30. R

    How fun is particle physics research? (re:computation work)

    Hi, so I am currently an ug, and I've been offered positions to do particle physics research. The thing that is turning me off is that it's mostly computational work in C++. I don't know how much i'll enjoy working at the computer all day, but the idea of studying what makes up matter is...
  31. W

    Where can I find research opportunities in physics and nuclear engineering?

    Where are some good places to apply that I can get some expierence in research in? Besides my school. Note: I do not have any prevoius expierence and am a sophomore with an Engineering Physics degree declared.
  32. P

    I generating ideas for a Physics Research Project

    I am in a Research Class that goes for two years, and over the course of the two years I need to come up with a research project that I, just a high school student, can do and complete. It should be fairly original research. But I am having an extremely hard time thinking of topics. The teacher...
  33. H

    Selecting a Recent Space/Astro Physics Research Topic

    I need a help in selecting my new presentation topic my teachers always use to say that the topic should be very recent and in researchs of present time,i am Space and Astro physics student doing M Sc.Please help me to find out the most recent Research topic in this subject except black hole etc...
  34. z-component

    Exploring Fascinating Physics Research Topics for High School Graduation Project

    Hi, For my school district, all high school seniors are required to complete a graduation project in order to receive a diploma. We're supposed to pick a class we enjoy and work together with the teacher of that class, who acts as a mentor, in coming up with a presentable project to a class...
  35. P

    What Are the Best Universities in Australia for Aspiring Physics Researchers?

    I'm in year 12 in Australia and unsure as too what is the best course and where is the best uni if I wish to get into a physics research position latter on?
  36. Q

    What career options are available with an MPhys in nuclear astrophysics?

    can anyone tell me how eay it is to get jobs in physics research? I'm interested in particle physics but I'm afraid i can't be much more specific as I'm only 17 :biggrin: i want to do an MPhys in nuclear astrophysics and then go into some kind of reserach. also, what else could i do apatr from...
  37. P

    What Are Some Engaging Topics in Physics for a School Research Project?

    For a school assignment I have been asked to research an area of physics, and I have no ideas. I began looking at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) but I couldn't find much info on it. Can anyone help me with some ideas which have quite a bit of information and theory on it? Thanks
  38. A

    What Physics Topics Can I Research for My College Science Class?

    I just joined a classs that I didn't even know existed at my school until today. It is called science research, and basically you meet once a week with the class, and it is all independent research, you pick a topic and research it and present to the class and then enter science fairs and other...
  39. J

    Give Feedback on Jeremiah Hendricks' Quantum Physics Research

    Hi, my name is Jeremiah Hendricks and I recently completed a research paper on the effects quantum physics has had in other fields. Part of our assignment is to get feedback on our paper from an appropriate audience. It would be helpful if you guys could read my paper and then answer the quick...
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