My Excitement With The Mystery Of Physics
Most people will tell you they want to study physics because they like it and want to learn how the world works. For me; it’s much more than that! The study of physics is the one way in which we can attempt to understand the impossible questions of our existence, and allow us to truly comprehend the world we live in. I want to be at the forefront of new discoveries, changing our perception of everything we thought we knew. A research career particularly excites me, as the huge scale of opportunity and potential can’t be found in any other field and provides a pathway to genuinely change the world.
Recently, I delivered a presentation in class on the theories surrounding the end of the universe, which I thoroughly enjoyed researching and presenting. This was a topic of my choice, and allowed me to develop and expand my knowledge in an area that I’ve always been interested in. My research led to further reading, as I was fascinated by the idea of dark energy, an invisible force driving the expansion of the universe. We can’t prove it exists, but it must if our current understanding of the universe is correct and the rate of expansion is constantly increasing. I particularly enjoyed reading “Universal: A Journey Through the Cosmos”, by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw, which deals with the biggest questions about the universe and its origins. Their explanation of the cosmological constant was interesting, as it was something Einstein thought was a mistake in his theories but has been confirmed to exist today in the form of dark energy. The way that Einstein’s theories still hold true today and the possibilities to develop similar models to further advance our understanding are part of the reason I want to study physics at the highest level.
Statistics and equations lay the foundations for everything in physics, allowing us to rationalise and interpret the different phenomena present in the universe. Maths gives physics the basis to exist, meaning it’s at the very centre of my studies and interests. I find it amazing how these two subjects can come together in such unlikely areas, such as the ability to use trigonometric functions to model simple harmonic motion. This pairing is undoubtedly one of the most complex relationships to exist, but one that can be the most rewarding when used to compliment each other, something that I love doing
. Along with the traditional choices, my third A level is history. While this is considered an unusual choice for physics students, I feel that it gives me an advantage over people doing only science-based subjects. I’ve taken part in many debates in class which allows me to express my arguments in a comprehensive way, and to apply my own knowledge to explain unfamiliar subjects. Most importantly, I enjoy it, and this makes it the most valuable third subject for me, regardless of my future choices.
In school, I enjoy taking an active role in many areas, including volunteering for events such as open days and helping younger students. As well as enjoying these jobs, they are extremely useful in utilising my communication and presentation skills. I have regularly been selected for the school’s football team, winning the county cup twice. This was an incredible experience, and the team made it massively rewarding. A key part of university is dealing with heavy workloads while still performing to the best of your ability. I am employed as a part time kitchen porter in a pub, which is often extremely busy. I’ve found it very useful to be in this stressful position, as it has really helped me to cope with pressure while still delivering the best results.
The mystery of physics is something that seems utterly impossible, but incredibly exciting at the same time. You can spend your whole life studying it and barely even scratch the surface. I want to continue working in a place where people share my passion and dream of making a real difference, and above all, study something that inspires me every day.
