My Goal To Pursue Physics And Mathematics At A-Level
During my GCSE Physics studies, I was shown a video of a bowling ball and a feather being dropped simultaneously in a vacuum chamber, replicating the conditions of outer space. The outcome of this experiment was unlike any of my expectations, as they both hit the ground at the same time. It was so counter-intuitive to what I had perceived to be reality just minutes before. As a result, I took the initiative to go about understanding more about this new concept, and in the process I discovered my ambition to study Physics at a higher level. This laid the groundwork for my choice to take on Physics and Mathematics at A-level.
Curious about the path that lay ahead of me, I decided to look into what Physics courses at university had to offer. Not really knowing what to expect, I was drawn more and more towards the multi-disciplinary nature of Physics, and the dynamic interplay between theory and application. I realised that the challenge of acquiring a deeper appreciation of the fundamentals of complex phenomena appealed to my inquiring mind and logical approach to problem solving. On top of everything else, the prospect of unravelling the complexity of the universe with like-minded peers was something that I could relate to on every level. I have since gone beyond the limits of my A-level studies in order to expand my knowledge and comprehension. I regularly borrow books relating to Physics from our school library, as well as weekly publications such as the New Scientist. However, it wasn’t until I read my first journal article on Google Scholar that I grasped the true meaning of research in action. ‘Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger’ (Abbott et al. , 2016) was a game-changing scientific paper documenting the first direct detection of gravitational waves. These ripples in space-time were caused by the spiralling and merging of two black holes, and were observed by the two detectors of LIGO. What is notable about this event is that it confirmed what Einstein predicted in his Theory of General Relativity one hundred years before. This encompasses for me what makes Physics exciting: bringing centuries of scientific research together to confirm a theory that had been investigated and challenged from every possible angle.
Apart from the breakthrough itself and all the science behind it, I was also astonished by the huge number of people who were credited as authors of this paper. I never imagined a research project could become as extensive as this, with hundreds of academic scholars from all over the world working together towards a common goal. This has reinforced my aspirations to become a physicist, collaborating with experts in their respective fields and contributing to other scientific advances. More aware of what is required to pursue a career in Physics, I set out to develop my skills in other relevant subjects. My interest in the mathematical side of Physics increased exponentially because of this, particularly in the Further Mathematics course which challenged me to explore different ways of solving problems and linking abstract ideas. I especially found the chapter on complex numbers stimulating, as it exposed me to an entirely different way of thinking.
As a consequence of this, I decided to enter the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, where I achieved a silver award. Without a doubt, studying for my A-levels has improved my time management skills immensely. As Deputy Head Boy, I contribute to discussions of any issues raised by my fellow students and suggest areas for improvement; I also help to organise events for charity and our school formal. As an Action Cancer volunteer, I am able to give back to my local community. In addition, I enjoy swimming, running and playing the piano. In the future, I hope to continue my education at postgraduate level and positively contribute to society through innovative research which adds to our knowledge of the universe.
