What is physics?
Physics deals with the fundamental principles of nature. It investigates the properties of matter, forces, energy, and their interactions in space and time. The goal is to formulate the laws of nature that explain all physical phenomena – from falling apples to black holes. Physics attempts to explain and also predict these.
Physics deals with questions such as: How do bodies move? How do forces act? How do light, electricity, magnetism, or sound work? What are the fundamental building blocks of the universe?
Physics is divided into several subfields, but they are all somehow related. These include mechanics, thermodynamics, electrodynamics, optics, quantum physics, relativity theory, and astrophysics.
What is a physicist?
A physicist is someone who has studied physics at university. Nowadays, there are Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees. This requires studying at university for three, five, or eight years and passing various exams.
A physicist is involved in theoretical research as well as practical experiments to understand, explain, and apply their questions about the “why?” and “how?” of physical processes.
To achieve this, laws of nature are investigated, theories are developed, experiments are conducted, resulting data is analyzed, and physical knowledge is applied.
Physics as a school subject/ Physics in a career
Physics is taught in school at the latest from the 7th grade. After school, there is the option to study physics or engineering. Furthermore, there are many vocational training professions in the field of physics. Since physics is very broad with its thematic focuses, the possible vocational training professions are equally diverse. On the one hand, there is work in the laboratory as a physics laboratory assistant or technical assistant for physics. But there is also the field of electronics & technology, where one can train as an electronics technician or mechatronics technician, for example. In precision mechanics and optics, there are also vocational training professions such as precision optician or cutting machine operator.