Gravitational wave chirp spectrogram This spectrogram combined the signals from both Hanford and Livingston detectors to show the characteristic sweeping chirp. As the neutron stars came closer to each other, circling faster, they produced higher frequency gravitational waves shown by the greenish line sweeping upwards. Source LSC/Alex Nitz
Shattered rose A rose dipped in liquid nitrogen becomes brittle and shatters with very little force applied. Liquid nitrogen cools the rose quickly to a frigid -320°F. Source David Sherwin
Artist’s impression of merging neutron stars This artist’s impression shows two tiny but very dense neutron stars at the point at which they merge and explode as a kilonova. Such a very rare event is expected to produce both gravitational waves and a short gamma-ray burst, both of which were observed on 17 August 2017 by LIGO–Virgo and Fermi/INTEGRAL respectively. Subsequent detailed observations with many ESO telescopes confirmed that this object, seen in the galaxy NGC 4993 about 130 million light-years from the Earth, is indeed a kilonova. Such objects are the main source of very heavy chemical elements, such as gold and platinum, in the Universe. Source ESO/L. Calçada/M. Kornmesser
Why Physics?
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Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences. Physics is concerned with the most basic building blocks of everything, from quarks to quasars. The study of physics is the attempt to discover the pieces making up the universe and how they interact with each other. It could be said that all the other sciences are based on the study on physics.
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It can make your dreams materialize. Whether you are the hands-on type who just loves the fun experiments and demonstrations, a serious computer whiz who thrives when surrounded with the latest hardware, a dreamer of dreams who wants to sketch out reality in exotic mathematical forms, a visionary who aspires to impact society, or the more practical type who wants to see an effective product on the market, it can be confidently said that physics will be excellent preparation for you.
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It's the "Swiss Army Knife" degree. Some call it the "liberal arts degree of technology." Physics majors acquire many valuable skills and mental habits that work well in practically any profession. These include problem solving, interpersonal skills, technical writing, management skills, advanced computer skills, experience with special equipment and procedures, business principles, and statistical concepts. Physics majors can go on to pursue careers in medicine, law, economics, business, and engineering of all types (mechanical, electrical, environmental, and computer engineering).
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It maximizes your options. A physics-based career path will give you great opportunities for mental stimulation, creativity, and fascination. While the unique strengths of our discipline can transform you into an "explicit physicist" in academia or in industry, it is less widely known how effectively it can pave the way for excellence in other areas, making you a "hidden physicist." Physics majors have gone on to great jobs like fighter pilot, volcano tour guide, and video game designer as well as prime minister, stock analyst, and entrepreneur.
- It's fun, interesting and exciting. It gives you a deeper appreciation for the world around you. According to a recent report, the majority of students major in physics for sheer enjoyment. Studying physics is the difference between looking at a rainbow and saying "Look at all the pretty colors!" and understanding the interactions between photons and electrons that occur when light strikes spherical water droplets in the sky that you perceive as a multicolored arc. Physics models lasers, superconductors, black holes, quantum phenomena, cosmology, and relativity. It also addresses questions like "Why is the sky blue, why are sunsets red, and why does ice float?". Physicists are always trying to understand the world around them—in macroscopic and microscopic realms and in short and long time spans. They invent or acquire cool toys to help them.
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