Hi everyone. I love physics since i am young.

I am currently a post grad student in physics focusing on theoretical condensed matter physics.

Recently, i went to different Matrikulasi to give talk on theoretical physics.

I show them some basic simulation of Classical Mechanics and the students seems to be very interested in all the simulations.

It is sad that career in physics is never a priority in Malaysia nor it is exposed to the students in any way. Worse still, not much people know about the difference between Theoretical physics and Experimental physics.

Anyway, since this sub forum is still new, I will start the first topic on physics itself.

Certainly, for those who knows physics well, astronomy, material engineering/science, earth sciences, nanotech and others are also physics study as well. There is no clear boundry between all these disciplines and i hope everyone will hop in and discuss anything related to physics.

Doesn't matter you are currently a form 3 student or a Post Doc. Join in!

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Added on June 14, 2009, 11:41 amFor those who are interested with the simulation
go to

MyPhysicsLab


Or just download the whole simulation. (Requires Java)
Simulation

This post has been edited by wKkaY: Jun 20 2009, 04:08 PM

hmm. you don't extract it with winrar. You open it with Java.

Just download new Java and install it. You should be able to double click on it then.

you mean experimental physics and theoretical physics?

Cosmology is a special branch because the scientist in this field is usually addressed as cosmologist instead of physics.

However, to answer your question. Cosmology have both experimental and theoretical part. The theoretical cosmology icon would be stephen hawking.

Experimental work in cosmology is usually data harvesting from satellite, telescope and also work in some specific collider. (this means some part of cosmology is also particle physics as well.)

Theoretical physics and experimental physics exists is all different branches and fields of physics EXCEPT for string theory where only theoretical work exist.

you can obtain string theory information online easily. Get to know the basic idea of it first. The string theory is perhas the most controversial theory ever exist.

As a basic rule of science, all of us knows that if you have a theory, you need an experiment to prove or falsify it. But in this string theory, you can say anything, suggest any theory and even claim that you found the realy unification theory. But! no one can prove you theory!

to bgeh, i am doing some specific material research, thin film and multilayer properties.

You?

you are doing you phd oversea now?

Haha, it is normal to be confused a little bit at first.

Seems you are doing fully theoretical work as well.

Anyway, i don't know much about qft. Only studied basic things in qm like schrodinger equation. You gonna needs mathematics a lot! haha.

I am also doing some basic grid computing besides my physics work.

huh? If we do abandon string theory. Life goes on. There are other approach towards unification theory.

The major problem with string theory is that it cannot be proven or falsified as well. What to do?


I am not really into these great n-th dimensions and different stringy theories.

Computers are essential nowadays. It doesn't matters whether which field you are working in.

certainly, the ability to crunch enormous amount of data of super computers is proved to be very useful. Perhaps some new idea or insight can be found through the implementation of computer in physics research.

Despite its usefulness, it is not the most important part of physics. The idea to be able to propose new model, solution are much more important.

Like for myself, i am doing some research on grid computing but my supervisor doesn't really like the idea because he thinks that i shouldn't deviate from my real physics research.

perhaps i will limit the discussion here towards higher level physics instead of kopitiam styled questions. (time travel, e=mc2 those)

more on technical things instead of discussion.

Are you suggesting we split into different fields? HEP, condensed matter, optic, nuclear etc??

i think different level of understanding is more important. It is unlikely that there are enough people to discuss in each research field.

Perhaps the mathematics involved in Lagragian&Hamiltonian is a bit difficult for secondary school level.
But to be honest, partial differential and other differential equation should be taught at pre-u level.
Well, nowadays if you go through the content of matrikulasi/stpm/a-level... well..

Do you still do physics? Can i know what's your research area?

certainly yes. To be more precise, engineering is a combination of applied physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology etc. Sounds more towards chemical engineering though. lol

Optics can be very interesting at higher level. (no more snell's law etc, lol)
Electricity and magnetism can be difficult at first, but it is essential at any research field of physics. You just have to force yourself go through it.

Wikipedia and documentaries study won't help much in *real* understanding of the physics.

You will certainly need mathematics no matter what cause it is basically the soul of the physics.

QM needs mathematics of undergrad level. Perhaps more difficult in solving some special function.
GR is WORSE. Basically i can say that no one knows about GR in Malaysia. Tensor itself is already a killer.
String theory also same like GR while cosmology is a little bit too general to discuss about its mathematics.

You can do physics by youself but you can't escape from the mathematics.
There are examples in US where they study physics by self study while working as well. They are able to publish paper or proposed some new ideas as well.

Don't give up if you really love physics.

oh sorry i didn't answer your question. I am currently studying the energy distribution, polarization and other properties of specific thin film.

I am still not having any paper yet because i just started my research few months ago.

you?

dont worry. i will take care of this thread.

a general talk on physics is always good as it will give some new insight to people who don't know before this. Hope this will go on well.

waoh... i am so tired now....
just back from a trip promoting theoretical physics to secondary school studetns...
it is always good to see response from students. well, except for one chinese school which is so damn stupid.

It's not up to me also. But I am the first few person to initiate this project.

A bunch of form sixers all totally non responsive to any of our questions even though we already tried our best to communicate with them.

You what's the funny thing? A form 1 boy who happened to be at the venue actually respond to us and asked question which is actually a good question.

This is totally ridiculous. A group of form six students who are studying in a prestigious school are worse than form 1 kid.

on the other hand, matrikulasi is 100x better.

Last time i used to think matrik students are worse than stpm students. Now? Totally opposite view. (i am stpm dude)