experimental physics vs theoretical physics vs astrophysics

[Gamma Male]

For people interested in pursuing a career in physics, what field would you most like to be active in?

I've been thinking about it a lot, and so far I think I'm leaning toward experimental physics. I'd much rather be working in a lab with lasers and cool machinery than just draw on a blackboard all day.

And I feel like experimental physicists just contribute more to society. When was the last time there was a major breakthrough in theoretical physics? The theories of special and general relatively,almost a hundred years ago. And even then Einstein was just consolidating the results of older experiments.

Meanwhile at CERN and NASA, there's actual, active, vertifiable work going on. Real progress.

Have fun bickering over untestable string theory for another 100 years theoretical physicists. ;)

[Miserabilia]

I don't think I'll do physics but I definetly think theoretical physics are the most interesting, even though it usualyt doesn't achieve much normally.
I think it's important to work to make theoretical physics less theoretical! :P

[phuckphace]

I think experimental physics and the stuff CERN does are more important and useful than NASA, which needs to be shut down. the former seems more relevant to Earth, where we should be focusing. NASA on the other hand is an artifact of the Cold War and the space race, but the USSR collapsed a long time ago and we have umpteen more important issues to tackle before we worry about space. we're in no position economically to afford blowing skyscrapers of cash to see pics of neat space rocks or to find out for sure that Titan has hydrocarbon goo puddles. *yawn*

*secretly waiting for CERN to open a wormhole to 1950 so I can GTFO*

[Miserabilia]

I think experimental physics and the stuff CERN does are more important and useful than NASA, which needs to be shut down. the former seems more relevant to Earth, where we should be focusing. NASA on the other hand is an artifact of the Cold War and the space race, but the USSR collapsed a long time ago and we have umpteen more important issues to tackle before we worry about space. we're in no position economically to afford blowing skyscrapers of cash to see pics of neat space rocks or to find out for sure that Titan has hydrocarbon goo puddles. *yawn*

*secretly waiting for CERN to open a wormhole to 1950 so I can GTFO*

Isn't Nasa and other space programs still important for resaerch of exoplanets and future space traveling options?

[Gamma Male]

I think experimental physics and the stuff CERN does are more important and useful than NASA, which needs to be shut down. the former seems more relevant to Earth, where we should be focusing. NASA on the other hand is an artifact of the Cold War and the space race, but the USSR collapsed a long time ago and we have umpteen more important issues to tackle before we worry about space. we're in no position economically to afford blowing skyscrapers of cash to see pics of neat space rocks or to find out for sure that Titan has hydrocarbon goo puddles. *yawn*

*secretly waiting for CERN to open a wormhole to 1950 so I can GTFO*

NASA most certainly does not need to be shut down. Their budget only represents a tiny, insignificant amount compared to the whole budget. We spend more on pie every year than we do space travel.

But then again, maybe it's time for private space agencies to shine. More funding, profit, and they wouldn't have to waste time and resources begging congress to take some money away from the "murdering brown children" and "imprisoning teenage stoners" budgets and give it to them.

Anyway, there will always be problems that are in your eyes more pressing than space travel. Its not as if 20 years from now we'll just all of a sudden have everything figured out and taken care of and be ready to travel to mars.

[phuckphace]

18 billion dollars is a lot of money js

[Gamma Male]

18 billion dollars is a lot of money js

If we don't explore space now, then when?

And what about the long term? Creating self sustaining colonies and terraforming other planets may be our only hope when climate change reaches epidemic proportions.

Besides, if money is scarce we can always put Diet Coke advertisements on the sides of space shuttles. :lol:

[phuckphace]

space is the one area where I'm inclined to agree with lolbertarians... Let's let THE FREE MARKET spend its own money on exploration.

[Gamma Male]

space is the one area where I'm inclined to agree with lolbertarians... Let's let THE FREE MARKET spend its own money on exploration.

Yeah, other than safety regulations I can't think of any actual restrictions necessary for space companies. Maybe a lightyearsperkilowatt efficiency standard?

An anti space littering ad campaign? Don't mess with Ursa Minor!

And what happens if astronauts are in space and the mission control people decide to strike?

I could keep doing this all day.

[eugaurie]

For people interested in pursuing a career in physics, what field would you most like to be active in?

I've been thinking about it a lot, and so far I think I'm leaning toward experimental physics. I'd much rather be working in a lab with lasers and cool machinery than just draw on a blackboard all day.

And I feel like experimental physicists just contribute more to society. When was the last time there was a major breakthrough in theoretical physics? The theories of special and general relatively,almost a hundred years ago. And even then Einstein was just consolidating the results of older experiments.

Meanwhile at CERN and NASA, there's actual, active, vertifiable work going on. Real progress.

Have fun bickering over untestable string theory for another 100 years theoretical physicists. ;)

I'm currently studying Maths, Further maths, Physics and Chemistry A-level and I can tell you now, you can't decide yet, it's way too early.

To make such a decision you have to actually understand how the physics in each of these fields actually is, I presume you only have conceptual knowledge of the topics and haven't done any of the maths or theory. Wait. Because something small might change your mind, or perhaps something quite big like the abstract mathematics in theoretical physics is too difficult or something, you're 14, trust me maths beyond A-level is really difficult; imagine what it's like for Theoretical Physicists.

However, to answer your question..

I'm personally much more interested in the material taught in Theoretical Physics, but I appreciate that I have yet to actually experience the 'nitty-gritty' of it all.

[Ben_Frost]

If I wanted to pursue a career in physics, I'd pick astrophysics over the other two, I found them much more interesting. Otherwise, I'd probably go for theoretical physics. Practical physics wouldn't exist if there wasn't any theorie to begin working with... and probably later I'd get to those.

[hipster101]

Theoretical physics is my type, but I did do some astrophyics