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Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics in an attempt to explain natural phenomena. Its central core is mathematical physics, though other conceptual techniques are also used. The goal is to rationalize, explain and predict physical phenomena. The advancement of science depends in general on the interplay between experimental studies and theory. In some cases, theoretical physics adheres to standards of mathematical rigor while giving little weight to experiments and observations. For example, while developing special relativity, Albert Einstein was concerned with the Lorentz transformation which left Maxwell's equations invariant, but was apparently uninterested in the Michelson-Morley experiment on Earth's drift through a luminiferous ether. On the other hand, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for explaining the photoelectric effect, previously an experimental result lacking a theoretical formulation. From Wikipedia under the
GNU Free Documentation License What can I do with a phd in theoretical physics? Q. I am making A's in college right now. I am in high school taking college courses and getting to count for my bachelors's degree. Anyways I am interested in theoretical physics. I have taken calculus and it interest me. Asked by Aging liberal hippie douche bag - Thu Dec 17 04:29:56 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments A. A person with a PhD in theoretical physics will be called a "researcher", and you will work on...you guessed it...theoretical physics. :) The most common option is to work at a university as a professor, where you will work on research with graduate students and teach classes. There are also several big government-funded labs like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that hire physicists with PhDs. Some companies also have research departments that might fund theoretical physics research. Answered by ender - Thu Dec 17 22:46:01 2009 How much farther down a non-observational and purely mathematical tube can theoretical physics surf? Q. Did Physics die with Feynman? ... Should today's "Theoretical Physics" be called "Mathematical Metaphysics" instead? Asked by < > - Sun Aug 12 07:01:31 2007 - - 8 Answers - 0 Comments A. Nice question. The culprits are those who believe physics is a tool to discover truth, this in turn leads to the notion of unification of physical law as a noble pursuit, a kind of ultimate Occam's razor. The problem is that physicists are developing models with huge frameworks (11 dimensions anyone?) to try and accomodate all physical theories within this framework. The result is naturally a needlessly complex theory that simply mathematically incorporates all the others, provides no new predictions, and no one can use. A real physicist takes a step back and says, "Oh, you've made a theory with nearly infinite degrees of freedom . . . and you can almost fit it to experimental data? Why am I not shocked? Maybe add a few more… [cont.] Answered by supastremph - Fri Aug 17 12:33:01 2007 Are there many job prospects for someone in the area of theoretical physics?
Q. What kind of work is available after study? Is it mainly limited to teaching? Asked by John C - Sat Mar 21 00:13:45 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments A. In general, limited to: -Academia (research and teaching) -Government, military, and defense industry (ex: weapons research) -Financial industry (ex: quantitative finance) -Advance research in tech companies (ex: engineering physics and theoretical computer science in companies such as Microsoft, HP, IBM, Applied Material, etc) Answered by electrical engineer - Sat Mar 21 16:49:10 2009 From Yahoo Answer Search: "Theoretical physics"  news.google.com Media Newswire (press release) ... obtaining a certificate of advanced studies in applied mathematics, which means I'll be taking lecture courses on topics in theoretical physics ," Muir ... and more » news.google.com PhysOrg.com Science has yet to answer the question of whether the theoretical calculations on the development of the universe from the Big Bang 13.6 billion years ago ... news.google.com Washington Post Here is the Wikipedia brief: "In Half-Life, players assume the role of Dr. Gordon Freeman, a recent graduate theoretical physicist who must fight his way ... and more » From Google News Search: "Theoretical physics"  slac.stanford.edu unknown Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GM Deadline: 04/26/10 Level: Student.  careers.ind.in anurag Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:44:48 GM The IMSC Mumbai provides graduate research curriculum to those scholars who wants to follow a doctoral degree in the fields of mathematical sciences / . theoretical physics. / theoretical computer sciences. ...  ebookslab.info admin Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:20:31 GM Rigorous, systematic study by renowned physicist offers advanced students a thorough background in mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics, stressing atomic, nuclear, and microscopic matters. 56 figures. From Google Blog Search: "Theoretical physics" |
