(A nobel prize; the most prestigious prize a scientist can achieve)
I have worked as a research physicist for many years, so I thought I'd share a few thoughts with you in my blog posts.
Here I talk about how to actually become a scientist/physicist and work on really cool projects, and what I think you need to do to be famous.
So, what did I do? Well I studied "mechanics" for many years. This is the classical way. Mechanics is like learning piano scales. In my opinion helpful in building up logical reasoning skills and broadening your mind, all very technical exercises.
Mechanics, mechanics, mechanics, Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, quantum mechanics, more mechanics, melt your brain mechanics, do it in your sleep mechanics.
So, what is mechanics? Well, mechanics is coming up with a mathematical formula to solve a problem, and then using the formula to get an answer. It is also known as "mathematical modelling". In other words, turning a real world problem into a mathematical equation. For example, a formula to calculate the speed of a ball rolling down a hill given the gradient of the hill.
"There are two types of modelling. Easy to get confused :)"
Generally this mechanics work split into two areas; getting the formula, and actually solving it. Sometimes getting an equation is easy, but solving it requires PAGES of mind-bending algebra and geometry. Sometimes getting a good equation is very hard.
An equation is always produced from laboratory data. If it doesn't fit the data it is no good. It might be a good formula that works well with crazy abstract concepts, but if it doesn't match reality it is shelved to the dustbin of history.
There are many branches of mechanics I can think of:
Newtonian mechanics (The classic; working out forces in beams and speeds of objects etc)
Wave mechanics (Water waves and things)
Quantum mechanics (Studying the atomic particles, very cool!)
Fluid mechanics (Fluid flow and the like)
Statistical mechanics (Using the laws of probability/statistics to come up with gas laws and thing)
Hamiltonian mechanics (Mind warping)
Most of the Nobel prizes in the last 100 years have been awarded in statistical physics, so this is probably a good one to be in :)
So, in order to achieve fame and success, you need to come up with some equation that fits real world measurements, that no one has done before. The most famous equations/models not only fits their original purpose but they predict other things which have subsequently been seen, providing a much deeper understanding of the universe.
For example, Newton's equation of gravity predicted planetary motion perfectly.
Einsteins equations of relativity predicted the observed orbit of the planet Mercury.
Sometimes people come up with equations, waiting for measured proof, for example the prediction of the Higgs Boson
The big problem at the moment that no one has solved is turbulence.
You can work on these problems just using a pen and paper. No expensive laboratories are required. Einstein came up with his theories whilst working as a patent clerk.
So, do you need to spend years studying mechanics and mathematics to become a successful scientist??
NO!
The other area to work in is actually coming up with the experimental data
This is a completely different type of work and requires good technical prowess and invention. That's all. There have been many famous scientist who have changed the world through their hands.
The most famous one to mind was Francis Aston, who made the first Mass Spectrometer. Now, the concept was put together to build it, but no one thought it was actually possible, until Mr. Aston came along. He worked in a brewery. He had such great technical skills he actually got the thing working. He won the Noble Prize for this work.
[A mass spectrometer reveals what atoms are in a material]
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and I hope it will inspire you all, and even demystify the world of science.
Remember me when you win that Nobel!
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@humoresque
Great writeup!
Keep sharing great content.
THanks!!
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Thanks :)
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