Physics major jobs: Best Jobs and Career Advice for Physics Majors

Опубликовано: January 11, 2023 в 8:20 pm

Автор:

Категории: Miscellaneous

Best Jobs and Career Advice for Physics Majors

If you have the skills and the work ethic to earn a degree in physics, you can look forward to an exciting career that’s rich with options and possibilities. It’s a great time to pursue a degree in physics!

1. Research Scientist

Average Base Salary: $83,490/yr

Related Titles: Physicist, Research Assistant, Researcher, Research Associate, Research Analyst

Description: Research scientists take on a broad range of tasks which may include conducting experiments, documenting their findings, managing staff, reading peer research, presenting research papers and more. Both the private and public sector hire for research scientists, with opportunities at companies, universities and government agencies alike.

2. Professor

Average Base Salary: $114,134/yr

Related Titles: Adjunct Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Graduate Assistant

Those interested in a career in academia might consider becoming a professor. Beyond lecturing students, many professors conduct their own research, write research papers, submit to peer-reviewed journals, attend conferences and more.

3. Physics Teacher

Average Base Salary: $57,321/yr

Related Titles: Science Teacher, Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Teacher Aide

If you want to instruct students, but prefer a less research-focused role, a job as a high school physics teacher could be the best option for you. Although education is not the highest-paying field, physics teachers often command a higher salary than others due to their specialized background. What’s more, many education professionals find it to be a deeply rewarding career.

4. Data Scientist

Average Base Salary: $117,345/yr

Related Titles: Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Business Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer

Due to high job satisfaction, salaries and number of open jobs, Glassdoor recently named Data Scientist as the #1 Best Job in America for the fourth year in a row. Data Scientists are tasked with analyzing, interpreting and deriving actionable insights from large quantities of data, making it a perfect job for physics majors with strong quantitative backgrounds.

5. Lab Manager

Average Base Salary: $57,321/yr

Related Titles: Lab Technician, Lab Assistant, Lab Supervisor

Lab Managers are responsible for the productivity and safety of laboratory settings. On a day-to-day basis, a lab manager might coordinate schedules, manage the budget, communicate and uphold safety standards, manage inventory, delegate tasks and more.

6. Medical Physicist

Average Base Salary: $129,183/yr

Related Titles: Physicist, Health Physicist, Radiation Therapist

Medical Physicists combine their knowledge of radiology/radiation and the human body in order to research and develop treatments, consult and educate medical professionals and oversee the implementation and operation of radiology/radiation.

7. Astronomer

Average Base Salary: $117,220/yr

Related Titles: Physicist, Astrophysicist

Astronomers study stars, planets, the sun and outer space in order to learn more about the universe and how it works. They are typically employed by governmental agencies, such as NASA or the Department of Defense. Typically, they spend their time observing telescopes, writing research papers, attending conferences, reading research and more.

8. Optical Engineer

Average Base Salary: $100,503/yr

Related Titles: Laser Engineer

Optical Engineers use their knowledge of the physics of light to design optical instruments and equipment, like lenses, sensors, lasers, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars and many more. In order to do this, they conduct research, sketch out product designs that meet the given specifications, collaborate with manufacturers to bring their ideas to life, and test and optimize their products.

9. Aerospace Engineer

Average Base Salary: $89,195

Related Titles: Aircraft Engineer, Rocket Propulsion Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design aircraft and spacecraft like planes, satellites and rockets. Beyond product design, they also analyze and interpret flight data, test their products and often work directly with clients in order to ensure products meet given specifications.

10. Geophysicist

Average Base Salary: $98,348/yr

Related Titles: Petroleum Engineer, Geologist, Environmental Scientist

Geophysicists use their knowledge of the physics of the earth in a wide variety of applications. Geophysicists may draw upon their skills to predict earthquakes, locate natural resources like oil or supervise excavation. In order to do so, they often combine surveying and fieldwork with data analysis.

Best Jobs and Career Advice for Physics Majors

If you have the skills and the work ethic to earn a degree in physics, you can look forward to an exciting career that’s rich with options and possibilities. It’s a great time to pursue a degree in physics!

1. Research Scientist

Average Base Salary: $83,490/yr

Related Titles: Physicist, Research Assistant, Researcher, Research Associate, Research Analyst

Description: Research scientists take on a broad range of tasks which may include conducting experiments, documenting their findings, managing staff, reading peer research, presenting research papers and more. Both the private and public sector hire for research scientists, with opportunities at companies, universities and government agencies alike.

2. Professor

Average Base Salary: $114,134/yr

Related Titles: Adjunct Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Graduate Assistant

Those interested in a career in academia might consider becoming a professor. Beyond lecturing students, many professors conduct their own research, write research papers, submit to peer-reviewed journals, attend conferences and more.

3. Physics Teacher

Average Base Salary: $57,321/yr

Related Titles: Science Teacher, Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Teacher Aide

If you want to instruct students, but prefer a less research-focused role, a job as a high school physics teacher could be the best option for you. Although education is not the highest-paying field, physics teachers often command a higher salary than others due to their specialized background. What’s more, many education professionals find it to be a deeply rewarding career.

4. Data Scientist

Average Base Salary: $117,345/yr

Related Titles: Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Business Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer

Due to high job satisfaction, salaries and number of open jobs, Glassdoor recently named Data Scientist as the #1 Best Job in America for the fourth year in a row. Data Scientists are tasked with analyzing, interpreting and deriving actionable insights from large quantities of data, making it a perfect job for physics majors with strong quantitative backgrounds.

5. Lab Manager

Average Base Salary: $57,321/yr

Related Titles: Lab Technician, Lab Assistant, Lab Supervisor

Lab Managers are responsible for the productivity and safety of laboratory settings. On a day-to-day basis, a lab manager might coordinate schedules, manage the budget, communicate and uphold safety standards, manage inventory, delegate tasks and more.

6. Medical Physicist

Average Base Salary: $129,183/yr

Related Titles: Physicist, Health Physicist, Radiation Therapist

Medical Physicists combine their knowledge of radiology/radiation and the human body in order to research and develop treatments, consult and educate medical professionals and oversee the implementation and operation of radiology/radiation.

7. Astronomer

Average Base Salary: $117,220/yr

Related Titles: Physicist, Astrophysicist

Astronomers study stars, planets, the sun and outer space in order to learn more about the universe and how it works. They are typically employed by governmental agencies, such as NASA or the Department of Defense. Typically, they spend their time observing telescopes, writing research papers, attending conferences, reading research and more.

8. Optical Engineer

Average Base Salary: $100,503/yr

Related Titles: Laser Engineer

Optical Engineers use their knowledge of the physics of light to design optical instruments and equipment, like lenses, sensors, lasers, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars and many more. In order to do this, they conduct research, sketch out product designs that meet the given specifications, collaborate with manufacturers to bring their ideas to life, and test and optimize their products.

9. Aerospace Engineer

Average Base Salary: $89,195

Related Titles: Aircraft Engineer, Rocket Propulsion Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design aircraft and spacecraft like planes, satellites and rockets. Beyond product design, they also analyze and interpret flight data, test their products and often work directly with clients in order to ensure products meet given specifications.

10. Geophysicist

Average Base Salary: $98,348/yr

Related Titles: Petroleum Engineer, Geologist, Environmental Scientist

Geophysicists use their knowledge of the physics of the earth in a wide variety of applications. Geophysicists may draw upon their skills to predict earthquakes, locate natural resources like oil or supervise excavation. In order to do so, they often combine surveying and fieldwork with data analysis.

Work formula in physics

Content:

  • Definition and formula of work
  • Elementary work
  • Work of force on the final section of the trajectory
  • Work units
  • Examples of problem solving

Definition and formula of work

Definition

does work 9{2}}{2}(1)$$

The action of force on a material point can be characterized not only by changing the speed of the body, but by using
the amount of displacement that the body under consideration makes under the action of a force
($\bar{F}$).

Elementary work

Elementary work $(\delta A)$ of some force
$\bar{F}$ is defined as a dot product:

$$\delta A=\bar{F} \cdot d \bar{r}=F \cdot d s \cdot \cos \alpha(2)$$

$\bar{r}$ radius is the vector of the point to which the force is applied,
$\bar{r}$ –
elementary movement of a point along a trajectory,
$\alpha$ – angle between vectors
$d s=|d \bar{r}|$ and $d \bar{r}$. If a
$\alpha$ is an obtuse angle work less than zero if the angle
$\alpha$ is sharp, then the work is positive, for
$\alpha=\frac{\pi}{2} \delta A=0$

In Cartesian coordinates, formula (2) has the form:

$$\delta A=F_{x} d x+F_{y} d y+F_{z} d z(3)$$

where F x ,F y ,F z are vector projections
$\bar{F}$ to Cartesian axes.

When considering the work of a force applied to a material point, you can use the formula:

$$\delta A=\bar{F} \bar{v} d t=\bar{v} d \bar{p}(4)$$

where $\bar{v}$ is the velocity of the material point,
$\bar{p}$ is the momentum of the material point. 9{n} \bar{F}_{i} \bar{v}_{i} d t(5)$$

where the summation of elementary work of all forces is carried out, dt is a small period of time during which elementary work is performed
$\delta$ over the system.

The resulting work of internal forces, even if the rigid body is moving, is zero.

Let a rigid body rotate around a fixed point – the origin of coordinates (or a fixed axis that passes through this point).
In this case, the elementary work of all external forces (let’s assume that their number is n) that act on the body is: 9{s} \bar{F} \cdot d \bar{r}(7)$$

In the event that the force vector is a constant value on the entire segment of the movement, then:

$$A=F_{\tau} \cdot s$$

where $F_{\tau}=F \cos \alpha$ is the force projection on the tangent to the trajectory.

Units of measure for work

The base unit of moment of work in the SI system is: [A]=J=N•m

In CGS: [A]=erg=dyn•cm

1J=10 7 erg

Examples of problem solving

9{n}$ . What is the value of n?

Solution. As a basis for solving the problem, we use the formula:

$$\delta A=\bar{F} \bar{v} d t=m\left(\bar{a}_{n}+\bar{a}_{\tau}\right) \bar{v} d t=m \bar{a}_{n} \bar{v} d t+m \bar{a}_{\tau} \bar{v} d t(2.1)$$

Knowing the dependence of speed on time, we find the relationship between the tangential component of acceleration and time:

$$a_{\tau}=\frac{d v}{d t} \sim t(2.2)$$

The normal component of acceleration will be: 9{4}$$

Answer. n=4

Read more: Ampère force formula.

All physics formulas for grade 7 with explanations – table and cheat sheets

Physics cheat sheets for grade 7

It is difficult to cover the entire physics course in one article, but we have covered the main topics for grade 7 and this is enough to refresh knowledge in mind. Download and print both cheat sheets – one of them (detailed) will come in handy for thoughtful preparation for the OGE and the Unified State Examination, and the second (short) will serve to solve problems.

Download a cheat sheet with all the formulas and definitions in physics for grade 7 (small on one page) .

For those who are homeschooled or are forced to study the material on their own due to absences due to illness, we also recommend A.V. Peryshkin’s textbook on physics with formulas for grade 7 and easy, accessible explanations on all topics. It was written several decades ago, but is still very popular and in demand.

Practicing child psychologist Ekaterina Murashova

Free course for modern moms and dads from Ekaterina Murashova. Sign up and participate in the drawing of 8 lessons

Measurement of physical quantities

Measurement is the determination of the numerical value of a physical quantity using tools and technical means.

The measurement result is compared with a certain standard, taken as a unit. As a result, the value of the physical quantity is the received number with indication of the units of measurement.

In the 7th grade physics course, they learn the rules for measuring using instruments with a scale. If the value of the scale interval is unknown, you can find it out using the following formula:

CSD = (max − min) / n, where CSD is the value of the division, max is the maximum value of the scale, min is the minimum value of the scale, n is the number of divisions between them .

Instead of the maximum and minimum, you can take any other values ​​of the scale, the numerical expression of which we know.

A distinction is made between direct and indirect measurements:

  • with direct measurement, the result can be seen directly on the scale of the instrument;

  • In an indirect measurement, the value of a quantity is calculated using another quantity (for example, the average speed is determined based on several speed measurements).

For convenience and standardization of measurements, the International System of Units (SI) was adopted in 1963. It regulates which units of measurement are considered basic and used for formulas. The designations of these units are also taught in the 7th grade physics curriculum.

Mechanical movement: formulas for class 7

Mechanical movement is the movement of a body in space, as a result of which it changes its position relative to other bodies. The patterns of such movement are studied within the framework of mechanics and specifically its section – kinematics.

In order to describe motion, you need a body of reference, a coordinate system, and a tool for measuring time. These are the components of the reference system.

The study of mechanical motion in the 7th grade physics course includes the following terms:

  • Body displacement is the minimum distance that connects two selected points of the motion trajectory.

  • Motion trajectory is a mental line along which the body moves.

  • Path is the length of the body path from the start to the end point.

  • Speed ​​ – the speed of movement of the body or the ratio of the distance traveled by it to the time of passage.

  • Acceleration – the rate of change in the speed with which the body moves.

Uniform motion is a mechanical motion in which a body travels the same distance in any equal time intervals.

The formula for the speed of uniform rectilinear motion:

V = S / t, where S is the path of the body, t is the time it took to travel this path.

The formula for the speed of uniform curvilinear motion:

SI unit of speed: meter per second (m/s).

Uniform speed formula:

V = V 0 + at, where V 0 is the initial speed and a is the acceleration.

SI unit of acceleration: m/s 2 .

Free English lessons with a native speaker

Practice 15 minutes a day. Learn English grammar and vocabulary. Make language a part of life.

Gravity, weight, mass, density

Formulas, concepts and definitions describing these physical characteristics are studied in the 7th grade within the framework of such a section of physics as dynamics.

The weight of a body or substance is a physical quantity that characterizes the force with which it acts on a horizontal surface or vertical suspension.

Please note: body weight is measured in newtons, body weight in grams and kilograms.

Weight formula:

P = mg, where m is the mass of the body, g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Free fall acceleration occurs under the action of gravity, which affects all bodies on our planet.

g = 9.806 65 m/s 2 or 9.8 N/kg

If a body is at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line, its weight is equal to gravity.

F heavy = mg

But these concepts cannot be identified: the force of gravity acts on the body due to the presence of gravity, while weight is the force with which the body itself acts on the surface.

The density of a body or substance is a value that indicates how much mass a given substance has, occupying a unit volume. Density is directly proportional to mass and inversely proportional to volume.

Density formula:

ρ = m / V, where m is the mass of the body or substance, V is the volume occupied.

Density unit in SI: kg/m 3 .

Skysmart’s online physics courses are just as fun as our articles!

Mechanical lever, moment of force

Archimedes spoke about the mechanical lever when he promised to turn the Earth over if only a suitable fulcrum was found. This is a simple mechanism that helps lift weights attached to one end of it by applying force to the other end. In this case, the weight of the load far exceeds the applied force. In grade 7, physical formulas describing this process are studied in the same section of dynamics.

The lever is a kind of rigid body that can rotate around a fixed fulcrum, with a force acting on one end and a load on the other.

The perpendicular drawn from the fulcrum to the line of action of the force is called the shoulder of the force.

The lever is in equilibrium if the product of the force on the arm on one side is equal to the product of the force on the arm on the other side.

Equation of equilibrium of the lever:

F 1 × l 1 = F 2 × l 2

It follows that the lever is balanced when the moduli of the forces applied to its ends are inversely proportional.

The moment of force is a physical quantity equal to the product of the modulus of force F and its arm l.

Moment formula:

M = F × l, where F is the modulus of force, l is the arm length.

SI unit of torque: newton meter (Nm).

This formula is true if the force is applied perpendicular to the axis of the lever. If it is applied at an angle, such a case is beyond the scope of the 7th grade physics course and is studied in detail in the 9th grade.

Moment Rule: A lever is balanced if the sum of all the moments of forces that turn it clockwise is equal to the sum of all the moments of forces that turn it in the opposite direction.

In other words: a lever is in equilibrium if the sum of the moments of all forces applied to it about any axis is equal to zero.

М 1 + М 2 + М n + … = 0

Pressure, pressure force

area this force is distributed. This phenomenon is explained in the 7th grade program by the physical terms “pressure” and “pressure force”.

Pressure is the ratio of the force acting on a surface to the area of ​​that surface.

Pressure force is directed perpendicular to the surface.

Pressure formula:

p = F / S, where F is the modulus of force, S is the surface area.

SI unit of pressure: pascal (Pa).

1 Pa = 1 N/m 2

It is clear that with the same impact force, a surface with a smaller area will experience a higher pressure.

The formula for calculating the pressure force is easy to derive:

F = p × S

In physics problems for grade 7, the pressure force is usually equal to the weight of the body.

Pressure of gases and liquids

Liquids and gases filling a vessel exert pressure in all directions: on the walls and bottom of the vessel. This pressure depends on the height of the column of a given substance and on its density.

Hydrostatic pressure formula:

р = ρ × g × h, where ρ is the density of the substance, g is the gravitational acceleration, h is the height of the column.

g = 9. 8 m/s 2

SI unit of pressure for a liquid or gas: pascal (Pa).

A homogeneous liquid or gas presses uniformly on the vessel walls, since this pressure is created by randomly moving molecules. And the external pressure exerted on the substance is also evenly distributed throughout its volume.

Pascal’s law: the pressure exerted on the surface of a liquid or gaseous substance is equally transmitted to any point of it, regardless of direction.

The external pressure exerted on a liquid or gas is calculated by the formula:

p = F / S, where F is the modulus of force, S is the surface area.

Communicating vessels

Communicating are called vessels , which have a common bottom or are connected by a tube. The level of a homogeneous liquid in such vessels is always the same, regardless of their shape and section.

If ρ 1 = ρ 2 , then h 1 = h 2 and ρ 1 gh 1 = ρ 2 gh 2 , where:

p – where:

p – where:

liquid density,

h is the height of the liquid column,

g = 9.8 m/s 2 .

If the liquid in the communicating vessels is not homogeneous, i.e. has different densities, the height of the column in the vessel with the denser liquid will be proportionately smaller.

The heights of the columns of liquids with different densities are inversely proportional to the densities.

Hydraulic press is a mechanism created on the basis of communicating vessels of different sections filled with a homogeneous liquid. Such a device makes it possible to obtain a gain in force for exerting static pressure on the parts (compression, clamping, etc.).

If pressure p 1 = f 1 /s 1 is formed under piston 1, and pressure p 2 = f 2 /s is formed under piston 2, then according to law 2 90.1 Pascal, p 1 = p 2

, therefore,

Forces acting on the pistons of the hydraulic press F 1 and F 2 , are directly proportional to the areas of these pistons S 1 and S and S and S and S and S and S and S and s 2 .

In other words, the force of piston 1 is greater than the force of piston 2 as many times as its area is greater than the area of ​​piston 2. This makes it possible to balance the many times greater force in a hydraulic machine with a small force.

Archimedes’ Law

A body immersed in a liquid or gas is subjected to a buoyancy force equal to the weight of the volume of the liquid or gas displaced by the part of the body immersed in the liquid or gas.

Formula of the Archimedean force:

F a = ρ × g × V, where ρ is the density of the liquid, V is the volume of the submerged part of the body, g is the acceleration 9.8 m/s 2 .

Archimedes’ law helps to calculate how a body will behave when immersed in media of different density. The following statements are true:

  • if the density of the body is higher than the density of the medium, it will sink to the bottom;

  • if the density of the body is lower, it will float to the surface.

In other words, the body will rise to the surface if the Archimedean force is greater than the force of gravity.

Work, energy, power

Mechanical work is a physical quantity that is equal to the product of the displacement of the body by the modulus of the force under which the displacement was performed.

The formula for work in the course of physics for grade 7:

A = F × S, where F is the acting force, S is the path traveled by the body.

SI unit of work: joule (J).

Power refers to the rate at which mechanical work is performed. It tells how much work was done in a unit of time.

Power is a physical quantity equal to the ratio of work to the time period required to complete it.

Power formula:

N = A / t, where A is the work, t is the time it takes to complete it.

Power can also be calculated knowing the force acting on the body and the average speed of movement of this body.

N = F × v, where F is the force, v is the average speed of the body.

SI unit of power: watt (W).

A body can do some work if it has energy – kinetic and/or potential.

  • Kinetic is the energy of body movement. She talks about how much work needs to be done to give the body a certain speed.

  • Potential is the energy of interaction of a body with other bodies or interaction between parts of one whole. The potential energy of a body raised above the Earth characterizes what work the force of gravity must do in order to lower this body again to the zero level.

Table with formulas in physics for grade 7 for calculating kinetic and potential energy:

Kinetic energy

Proportional to the mass of the body and the square of its speed.

E k = mv 2 /2

Potential energy

It is equal to the product of the mass of the body raised above the Earth, the acceleration of free fall and the height of the rise.

E p = mgh

Total mechanical energy

Composed of kinetic and potential energy.

E = E k +E p

Energy conservation and conversion

If mechanical energy does not change into other forms, then the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy is a constant.

E k + E p = const

In order to understand how much of the work done was useful, calculate the efficiency or efficiency. It is used to determine the effectiveness of various mechanisms, tools, etc.

Coefficient of performance (COP) reflects the useful part of the work performed. It can also be expressed in terms of the ratio of useful energy used to the total amount of energy received.