Health physics is the study of how to manage radiation safely. Health physicists work in a variety of industries and specialize in areas such as radioactive waste management and environmental assessment. Training includes a two-year degree and certification from the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists or the American Board of Health Physics. Career opportunities […]
Physics tutors provide additional instruction outside of formal classroom settings for individuals or groups struggling with difficult concepts. Qualifications vary depending on the level of students being taught, and tutors may be paid or volunteer for various reasons. Tutors must be able to teach both mathematical and conceptual aspects of physics, from Newtonian mechanics to […]
The Physics GRE is a multiple-choice test for graduate school consisting of 100 questions divided into nine general areas. It is an essential requirement for most graduate physics programs in the US and Canada, as well as some programs in the UK and Europe. The exam is designed to broadly test students’ aptitude in physics […]
Stephen Hawking’s doctoral thesis, submitted in 1965, was made available for free download by the University of Cambridge in 2017. Hawking hoped to inspire people to question their place in the universe and make sense of the cosmos through open access to his work. Stephen Hawking submitted his doctoral thesis, titled Properties of Expanding Universes […]
Cartoon physics allows for the bending of the laws of physics in animation, creating scenes that couldn’t happen in real life. Consistent laws of cartoon physics have emerged, including characters defying gravity and surviving explosions. Adhering to these laws can be fun for viewers and animators. The term “cartoon physics” is used to describe the […]
A physics engine is a program used for digital purposes that mimics real-world physics. It can be simple or complex and is used in gaming and scientific simulations. Simple engines are less realistic but easier to use, while advanced engines require powerful computers. Gaming engines control actions such as kickbacks and body movements, while scientific […]
Health physics technicians monitor radiation levels in various settings, including nuclear facilities and hospitals. They use specialized equipment to detect harmful emissions, collect samples, and send data to health supervisors. Technicians can also provide employee training and work independently with experience. A health physics technician tests and monitors radiation levels in a hospital, nuclear facility, […]
Physics is used to explain natural events and is a strong component of scientific disciplines. Nuclear medicine applies physical principles and theories to generate medical technology, using nuclear physics to manipulate atomic particles and create reactions. Diagnostic imaging and radiopharmaceuticals are examples of physics in nuclear medicine. In broader terms, physics studies focus on physical […]
The principle of relativity states that the laws of physics work the same regardless of an observer’s position or speed. Galileo’s ship experiment illustrated this in the 1600s. Newton applied the principle to planetary bodies and motion, leading to his own theories. Einstein’s application of the principle to light led to his groundbreaking theories of […]
Particle physics studies fundamental particles and their forces, often through high-energy collisions in particle accelerators. The Standard Model, developed in the 1970s, includes 31 particles, with fermions making up matter and bosons mediating interactions. Neutrinos, which were discovered to have mass in 1998, are also studied in neutrino astronomy. Particle physics yields insights useful to […]
Physics equations describe the world and motion, and can be rearranged to solve for different unknowns. Common equations describe energy, force, and speed, including E=mc2 for energy, F=ma for force, and d=vt for velocity. There are several physical equations that are used by physicists to describe the phenomena of the world and motion. These equations […]
Medical physics applies physics to healthcare, including nuclear medicine, medical imaging, and treating disease. Medical physicists may hold a PhD in physics and work in teaching, research, or clinical practice. They improve healthcare and develop new techniques and equipment. Medical physics is a branch of physics that focuses on the application of physics to the […]
Materials can soften without melting, and a softening point can be determined for quality control. The glass transition temperature is when a material becomes more flexible. Tests like the vicat and ring and ball can determine softening points. Softening point tests are used to determine optimum handling temperatures for adhesives. Synthetic polymers have a wider […]
Projectile motion has two components: horizontal and vertical. Gravity causes a constant acceleration towards Earth, while horizontal motion remains constant unless affected by external forces. The curve of the Earth affects the angle of horizontal movement and must be considered for longer ranges and angled projectiles. In physics, the motion of a projectile can be […]
Physics studies matter, energy, and their interactions. The physics of motion involves the change of position of a body, initiated by an applied force. Motion is described by speed and velocity, which includes direction. Acceleration is the change in speed over time and is caused by a force applied to the body. Momentum is the […]
Applied physics combines pure physics with engineering to solve technological problems. It involves developing instrumentation for scientific research and can be considered pure or applied depending on its practical applications. Applied physics departments attract faculty from physics and engineering departments and cover a wide range of research topics, including the development of superconductors, photovoltaics, and […]
Pendulum physics describes the swinging motion of a weight hung from a fixed point. The pendulum will continue to swing unless acted upon by an external force due to the fundamental law of inertia. The energy within a system remains constant, and the total potential and kinetic energy of the weight is preserved throughout the […]
Quantitative physics involves repeated measurements and mathematical analysis of experimental results to draw conclusions from statistical analysis of large amounts of data. It uses mathematics to understand the forces at work in the universe and is important in physics because physical laws cannot be defined quantitatively by human observation alone. Computational physics complements quantitative physics […]
Resistance is a measure of a material’s tendency to resist the flow of an electric current and depends on material composition, thickness, length, and temperature. Ohm’s law states that electric current equals voltage divided by resistance. Resistance generates heat and is used for electric heating, cooking, and lighting. Resistors and fuses protect delicate components from […]
Physics studies matter and energy and their interactions. Specializations include astrophysics, geophysics, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum physics, and theoretical physics. These fields have contributed to various branches of science and may lead to the theory of everything. A career in physics can be rewarding for those with a sharp mind and sense of wonder. […]
