Physicist

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.[1][2] Physicists
generally are interested in the root or ultimate causes of
phenomena, and usually frame their understanding in
mathematical terms. They work across a wide range of research
fields, spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic and particle
physics, through biological physics, to cosmological length scales
encompassing the universe as a whole. The field generally
includes two types of physicists: experimental physicists who
specialize in the observation of natural phenomena and the
development and analysis of experiments, and theoretical
physicists who specialize in mathematical modeling of physical
systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena.[1] Albert Einstein, a key theoretical
physicist in the 20th century who
Physicists can apply their knowledge towards solving practical developed the theory of relativity
problems or to developing new technologies (also known as and parts of early quantum theory
applied physics or engineering physics).[3][4][5]

History
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 astronomers and 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
In an 18th-century experiment in
cultures such as India and China, and particularly the Islamic
"natural philosophy" (later to be
medieval period, which saw the development of scientific called "physics") English scientist
methodology emphasising experimentation, such as the work of Francis Hauksbee works with an
Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) in the 11th century. The modern early electrostatic generator.
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 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.[6] 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.[7]

Education
A standard undergraduate physics curriculum consists of classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism,
non-relativistic quantum mechanics, optics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, and laboratory
experience.[8][9][10] Physics students also need training in mathematics (calculus, differential equations,
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 master's degree like MSc, MPhil, MPhys or MSci.[11]

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, gravitational physics,
material science, medical physics, microelectronics, molecular physics, nuclear physics, optics, particle
physics, plasma physics, quantum information science, and radiophysics.

Careers
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, Professors, Sr./Jr.
Scientist, or 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
Experimental physicists at work at
about 11% are in business/education.[12] A majority of physicists the accelerator laboratory of the
employed apply their skills and training to interdisciplinary sectors University of Jyväskylä (Finland)
(e.g. finance[13]).[14]

Job titles for graduate physicists include Agricultural Scientist, Air Traffic Controller, Biophysicist,
Computer Programmer, Electrical Engineer, Environmental Analyst, Geophysicist, Medical Physicist,
Meteorologist, Oceanographer, Physics Teacher/Professor/Researcher, Research Scientist, Reactor
Physicist, Engineering Physicist, Satellite Missions Analyst, Science Writer, Stratigrapher, Software
Engineer, Systems Engineer, Microelectronics Engineer, Radar Developer, Technical Consultant,
etc.[15][16][17][18]
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.[19]

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.[20]

Honors and awards

The highest honor awarded to physicists is the Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded since 1901 by the Royal
Swedish Academy of Sciences.[21] National physical societies have many prizes and awards for
professional recognition. In the case of the American Physical Society, as of 2023, there are 25 separate
prizes and 33 separate awards in the field.

Professional certification

United Kingdom
Chartered Physicist (CPhys) is a chartered status and a professional qualification awarded by the Institute
of Physics. It is denoted by the postnominals "CPhys".

Achieving chartered status in any profession denotes to the wider community a high level of specialised
subject knowledge and professional competence. According to the Institute of Physics, holders of the
award of the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) demonstrate the "highest standards of professionalism, up-to-
date expertise, quality and safety" along with "the capacity to undertake independent practice and
exercise leadership" as well as "commitment to keep pace with advancing knowledge and with the
increasing expectations and requirements for which any profession must take responsibility".

Chartered Physicist is considered to be equal in status to Chartered Engineer, which the IoP also awards
as a member of the Engineering Council UK, and other chartered statuses in the UK. It is also considered
a "regulated profession" under the European professional qualification directives.

Canada
The Canadian Association of Physicists can appoint an official designation called Professional Physicist
(P. Phys.),[22] similar to the designation of Professional Engineer (P. Eng.). This designation was
unveiled at the CAP congress in 1999 and already more than 200 people carry this distinction.

To get the certification, at minimum proof of honours bachelor or higher degree in physics or a closely
related discipline must be provided. Also, the physicist must have completed, or be about to complete,
three years of recent physics-related work experience after graduation. And, unless exempted, a
professional practice examination must also be passed. An exemption can be granted to a candidate that
has practiced physics for at least seven years and provide a detailed description of their professional
accomplishments which clearly demonstrate that the exam is not necessary.
Work experience will be considered physics-related if it uses physics directly or significantly uses the
modes of thought (such as the approach to problem-solving) developed in your education or experience
as a physicist, in all cases regardless of whether the experience is in academia, industry, government, or
elsewhere. Management of physics-related work qualifies, and so does appropriate graduate student
work.

South Africa
The South African Institute of Physics also delivers a certification of Professional Physicist (Pr.Phys).[23]
At a minimum, the owner must possess a three-year bachelors or equivalent degree in physics or a related
field and an additional minimum of six years' experience in a physics-related activity; or an Honor or
equivalent degree in physics or a related field and an additional minimum of five years' experience in a
physics-related activity; or master or equivalent degree in physics or a related field and an additional
minimum of three years' experience in a physics-related activity; a Doctorate or equivalent degree in
Physics or a related field; or training or experience which, in the opinion of the Council, is equivalent to
any of the above.

Professional societies
Physicists may be a member of a physical society of a country or region. Physical societies commonly
publish scientific journals, organize physics conferences and award prizes for contributions to the field of
physics. Some examples of physical societies are the American Physical Society, the Institute of Physics,
with the oldest physical society being the German Physical Society.

See also
List of physicists
Chartered Physicist
Nobel Prize in Physics
Manhattan Project
Strategic Defense Initiative

References
1. Rosen, Joe (2009). Encyclopedia of Physics. Infobase Publishing. p. 247.
2. "physicist" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physicist). Merriam-Webster.com
Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. "a scientist who studies or is a specialist in physics"
3. "Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing in Physics" (https://www.aip.org/sites/default/file
s/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap9.pdf) (PDF). American Institute for Physics.
October 2016.
4. "Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing in Engineering" (https://www.aip.org/sites/defaul
t/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap7.pdf) (PDF). American Institute for Physics.
October 2016.
 5. "Industrial Physicists: Primarily specializing outside of STEM sectors" (https://www.aip.org/si
tes/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap11.pdf) (PDF). American Institute for
Physics. October 2016.
6. Cahan, David, ed. (2003). From Natural Philosophy to the Sciences: Writing the History of
Nineteenth-Century Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-08928-2.
7. Donald S. L. Cardwell, James Joule: A Biography, Manchester University Press - 1989, page
18
8. Wachter, Armin; Hoeber, Henning (2006). Compendium of Theoretical Physics. New York,
NY: Springer. ISBN 0-387-25799-3.
9. Krey, Uwe; Owen, Anthony (2007). Basic Theoretical Physics : A concise overview (1st ed.).
Berlin: Springer. ISBN 978-3-540-36804-5.
10. Kompaneyets, Alexander Solomonovich (2012). Theoretical physics (2nd ed.). Mineola,
New York: Dover. ISBN 978-0-486-60972-0.
11. "Physicist" (https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/physicist).
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk. National Careers Service, United Kingdom. 7 October
2016.
12. AIP Statistical Research Center. "Industrially Employed Physicists: Primarily in Non-STEM
Fields" (https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/phd-plus-10/physprivsect-chap11.pd
f) (PDF). Retrieved August 21, 2006.
13. "Physicists and the Financial Markets" (https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://w
ww.ft.com/content/8461f5e6-35f5-11e3-952b-00144feab7de). Financial Times. 18 October
2013. Archived from the original (https://www.ft.com/content/8461f5e6-35f5-11e3-952b-0014
4feab7de) on 2022-12-10.
14. American Institute for Physics (AIP) Statistical Research Center Report Physics Doctorates
Initial Employment (https://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/physics-doctorates-initial-employm
ent-0) published March 2016.
15. "What can I do with a degree in Physics?" (https://web.archive.org/web/20161102165226/htt
p://www.augusta.edu/scimath/chemistryandphysics/documents/physicshandout.pdf) (PDF).
Augusta University. 2016. Archived from the original (http://www.augusta.edu/scimath/chemi
stryandphysics/documents/physicshandout.pdf) (PDF) on November 2, 2016. Retrieved
September 11, 2016.
16. "Physicist Career Opportunities" (https://science.iit.edu/physics/research-technical). Illinois
Institute of Technology. 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
17. "Physics Education, Applied to Engineering" (http://www.engineergirl.org/cms/6071.aspx).
National Academy of Engineering (NAE). 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
18. "Engineering Physicist careers" (https://www.sfu.ca/engineering/current-students/undergrad
uate-students/programs-and-requirements/engineering-physics.html). Simon Fraser
University, Canada. 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
19. "Initial Employment Sectors of Physics Bachelor's, Classes of 2011 & 2012 Combined" (http
s://www.aip.org/statistics/pie). American Institute of Physics. 26 August 2013. Retrieved
September 13, 2016.
20. "2111 Physicists and astronomers" (https://web.archive.org/web/20161111125832/http://ww
w5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=2&val1=2111).
National Occupational Classification - Canada. 2016. Archived from the original (http://www
5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=2&val1=2111) on
November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
21. "The Nobel Prize in Physics" (https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/). Nobelprize.org.
22. "Professional Certification (PPhys)" (https://www.cap.ca/programs/pphys-certification/).
23. "Register as professional physicist" (http://www.saip.org.za/index.php/news-and-events/opp
ortunities/287-register-as-professional-physicist-pr-phys-with-saip). saip.org.za. Retrieved
20 April 2023.
Further reading
Whitten, Barbara L.; Foster, Suzanne R.; Duncombe, Margaret L. (2003). "What works for
women in physics?" (https://doi.org/10.1063%2F1.1620834). Physics Today. 56 (9): 46.
Bibcode:2003PhT....56i..46W (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2003PhT....56i..46W).
doi:10.1063/1.1620834 (https://doi.org/10.1063%2F1.1620834).
Kirby, Kate; Czujko, Roman; Mulvey, Patrick (2001). "The Physics Job Market: From Bear to
Bull in a Decade". Physics Today. 54 (4): 36. Bibcode:2001PhT....54d..36K (https://ui.adsab
s.harvard.edu/abs/2001PhT....54d..36K). doi:10.1063/1.1372112 (https://doi.org/10.1063%2
F1.1372112). S2CID 178631076 (https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:178631076).
Hermanowicz, Joseph C. (1998). The Stars Are Not Enough: Scientists--Their Passions and
Professions (https://archive.org/details/starsarenotenoug1998herm). University of Chicago
Press. ISBN 978-0-226-32767-9.
Hermanowicz, Joseph C. (2009). Lives in Science: How Institutions Affect Academic
Careers. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-32761-7.

External links
How to become a GOOD Theoretical Physicist (http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~gadda001/go
odtheorist/), Utrecht University
Physicists and Astronomers (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physici
sts-and-astronomers.htm); US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
Physicists and Astronomers
Physicist Careers (https://www.princetonreview.com/careers/116/physicist)
Careers through Engineering Physics (https://web.archive.org/web/20170820112851/http://c
areers.queensu.ca/sites/webpublish.queensu.ca.cswww/files/files/Major%20Maps/2015/Eng
ineering%20Physics%20WEB.pdf)

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