Have you ever kicked a soccer ball? Made a slice of toast? Used a remote key to unlock a car? If you have, you used physics principles! Physics is the study of matter, and covers everything from the subatomic to the universal. Larger theories can discover what is at the centre of the Milky Way. Smaller concepts can solve why your finger can control a touch screen. Physics is all around you! The future is bright with possibilities of what physics can do. It can seem scary to approach physics, because it involves complex math and a lot of problem solving. But solving difficult problems and applying theories to real life are excellent tasks to develop critical thinking. When I first entered high school I assumed I would take biology; it seemed like an easier option for my humanities-focused brain. Taking physics as a junior was nerve-wracking, but once I tried it, I enjoyed learning about how the physical world works. Even if you are not interested in a STEM career, taking physics courses can be a wonderful learning experience.
Physics is not confined to one general area of study. There are many specializations, depending on your interests. Astrophysics involves the study of the universe. Astrophysicists record data by measuring radiation from space. Then they use that data to make conclusions about the position and existence of objects in space. Biophysics is the study of biological systems, using physics. Biophysicists tackle disease outbreaks, renewable energy, or climate change. Geophysicists might research how to prevent natural disasters. You can even become a meteorologist with a physics education! Learning physics requires initiative. Half the fun of learning is experimenting, and taking your studies in a direction that interests you. High school courses often cover the basics, but there are resources available that can help you learn more about different branches of physics. If you prefer exploring online, here are some excellent places to begin:
Dr. Becky Smethurst, an astrophysicist, makes informative YouTube videos on the history and new developments of physics. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYNbYGl89UUowy8oXkipC-Q
Physics Today is a magazine that covers interviews with LGBTQIIA+ and BIPOC scientists, current events in physics, and resources for those aspiring to education or careers in physics. https://physicstoday.scitation.org/journal/pto
Physics Girl is a YouTube channel with videos on fun experiments, basic physics theories, and explanations of mysterious physics phenomena. https://www.youtube.com/c/physicsgirl/featured
For those who enjoy a good book, I strongly recommend checking out your local library. There are non-fiction books detailing the basic physics of daily life, scientific books explaining physics laws and principles, and even fictional stories about physics. To get you started, the “Five Books” list of expert-recommended books on physics includes books for every interest and reading level: https://fivebooks.com/category/mathematics-and-science/physics/
Physics is an interesting prospect for your individual future, but it’s an essential part of our global future. Renewable energy, space exploration, artificial intelligence, even pandemics like the current COVID-19 crisis all depend on physics research. What are now theories and ideas could eventually be functional technology. In the next few decades, human footsteps may once again imprint on extra-terrestrial ground. NASA is developing a spacecraft called Orion designed to make trips into deep-space locations like Mars. If a city or small community ever begins on Mars, engineers will need to create technology that can sustain life on another planet. Staying healthy has become a well-discussed topic recently, and products like fitness trackers and health apps are adding to the digitization of healthcare. New research is aiming to use genetic information and algorithms to treat health issues, combining computer science with healthcare. We need physicists in all facets of human life, especially in our evolving future. When I started learning more about physics, I was pretty amazed to discover how much I used physics principles without thinking. The world around us is incredibly astonishing, and physics can help us understand its wonders.
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Resources
Different Branches of Physics with Definitions and Topics. (2020, September 8). Physics About. https://physicsabout.com/branches-of-physics/
The next 100 years. (2019, December). Institute of Physics.
Tucker, L. (2019, November 7). What Can You Do With a Physics Degree? Top Universities. https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-physics-degree