As a Science Supporter I am on a journey to find out the importance of Physics.
My recent visit to India was one of the best moments of my life, as I had a chance to visit one of best institute and research centre- the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISERs). My visit included an interview with one of the leading theoretical physicist and a very kind gentleman Professor. Sunil Mukhi.
PROFILE
Prof. Sunil Mukhi earned a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics in 1981 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He worked at International Centre for Theoretical Physics at Trieste, Italy for few years, and then returned to India where he has worked at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, India since 1984. He is currently a head of physics department at IISERs since 2012. His area of research includes string theory, quantum field theory and particle physics.
* what inspired you to study physics?
Curiosity about the way nature works.
* I believe it is very important for a teacher to inspire there students to study physics or any other subject, how were you inspired at the university level? How do you inspire your students?
I had the good fortune to be taught by scientists who understood things in a deep and intuitive way. I'm perhaps not so intuitive, so when I teach, I try to present things in a logical way and within a broader picture.
* Tell me something about the research you carried out in your phd and after at other institutes?
For my Ph.D. I studied supersymmetric field theories in two dimensions. At the time these were thought of as interesting "toy models" which exhibited important quantum properties of supersymmetry. Today these models are understood to describe the "world sheet" swept out by a superstring as it propagates. Thus my work helped to discover the conditions under which a superstring can propagate consistently. After that I have worked on a variety of basic properties of string and superstrings, including dualities and novel symmetries.
* In this past 50 years physicist have done great discoveries due to which physics now is given more importance, according to you which is the most important discovery physicist have made upto date?
The Higgs mechanism discovered 50 years ago and verified very recently is one of the greatest discoveries of modern physics. But there are so many others: dark matter, dark energy, high-temperature superconductivity, neutrino oscillations, Bose-Einstein condensation...
* What problem do you think that physicist would have solved by the end of this century?
Hopefully, the nature of dark matter and the origin of high-temperature superconductivity, as well as the question of whether supersymmetry exists.
* How politicians view science as opposed to the science of politics?
The Indian government has consistently been positive and supportive towards science ever since independence.
* No one knew that the nature will be someday be described by the laws of physics. It is absolutely fascinating how this beautiful mathematical equations has connection in some way to the laws of nature and how we humans have the capacity to solve/unlock the mysterious of the nature. What do you wanna say about this beautiful connection between the laws of physics and nature?
It remains a deep mystery that nature chooses to express herself in the language of mathematics. We should be grateful for this as it means we can deal experience the real world and appreciate mathematical beauty at the same time.
* What message would you like to give to new generations who are willing to study physics at A-levels and also at university?
Stay tuned to the recent developments, try to understand them first and then think about what you can contribute. It's very fulfilling to add even one brick to the giant edifice called our understanding of nature.
My recent interview with Stephen Ikpe from Kings College London who currently holds a teaching position at Westminster Kingsway College for A-level Physics.
* Tell me something about the research you carried out in your phd and after at other institutes?
You may not have known that I hold a PhD Degree from the University of London King’s College in Digital Instrumentation. After which I worked for City University London as a Research Fellow in Acoustic Instrumentation. In the 1st instance, I researched or developed a way to improve on means of recording scientific data on moving media such as magnetic tapes. Yes, I know this is now obsolete, but was of an interest when I was involved with it. The City programme involved developing a flowmeter that used Long ‘wavelength’ waves. These waves have perceived advantages over short waves in some applications. I have interest in using physical principles to develop working devices.
* In this past 50 years physicist have done great discoveries due to which physics now is given more importance, according to you which is the most important discovery physicist have made upto date?
I’m not able to say which one specifically because over the years incremental developments have lead to useful implementations in the fields of science, engineering, etc.
* What problem do you think that physicist would have solved by the end of this century?
By the end of this century, there will be a better understanding of everything DARK – matter, energy – and the fundamental constituents of life.
*What do you want to say about political science?
Rightly or wrongly we are all influenced by it.
* Tips to inspire students to study physics and astronomy. How do you inspire your students to study physics?
There is ‘Physics’ all around us; in our homes, work, leisure. The students need to begin to inquire why/how certain things ( natural or man-made) are possible.
* Why is physics important in this world?
Physics have found uses in the financial industry as well as its traditional applications. It is fundamental science and its scope is endless, in my opinion.
* Tell me something about the research you carried out in your phd and after at other institutes?
You may not have known that I hold a PhD Degree from the University of London King’s College in Digital Instrumentation. After which I worked for City University London as a Research Fellow in Acoustic Instrumentation. In the 1st instance, I researched or developed a way to improve on means of recording scientific data on moving media such as magnetic tapes. Yes, I know this is now obsolete, but was of an interest when I was involved with it. The City programme involved developing a flowmeter that used Long ‘wavelength’ waves. These waves have perceived advantages over short waves in some applications. I have interest in using physical principles to develop working devices.
* In this past 50 years physicist have done great discoveries due to which physics now is given more importance, according to you which is the most important discovery physicist have made upto date?
I’m not able to say which one specifically because over the years incremental developments have lead to useful implementations in the fields of science, engineering, etc.
* What problem do you think that physicist would have solved by the end of this century?
By the end of this century, there will be a better understanding of everything DARK – matter, energy – and the fundamental constituents of life.
*What do you want to say about political science?
Rightly or wrongly we are all influenced by it.
* Tips to inspire students to study physics and astronomy. How do you inspire your students to study physics?
There is ‘Physics’ all around us; in our homes, work, leisure. The students need to begin to inquire why/how certain things ( natural or man-made) are possible.
* Why is physics important in this world?
Physics have found uses in the financial industry as well as its traditional applications. It is fundamental science and its scope is endless, in my opinion.
Interview with Catherine Cleary from Queen Mary, University of London who is currently a teacher at Westminster Kingsway College for A-level Physics.
* Why did you choose to study physics ? and how does it feel to be a physicist?
As my favourite science and the one I had more talent for physics was the natural choice for university.
* Why is physics important in this world?
It is the elementary science that all others stem from. It explains the world and universe from the meta scale of huge distances between galaxies down to the micro scale of atoms and sub atomics. Chemistry and biology are just more specialised branches of physics. It has it all.
* In this past 50 years physicist have done great discoveries due to which physics now is given more importance, according to you which is the most important discovery physicist have made upto date?
I think what will be very important in the future will be to conserve energy and the resources of the planet. Particle physics has great potential to advance our understanding in this area so all the work on quantum physics has been greatly important.
* What problem do u think that physicist would have solved by the end of this century?
I hope they will be able to solve some energy problems and management of resources.
* No one knew that the nature will be someday be described by the laws of physics. It is absolutely fascinating how this beautiful mathematical equations has connection in some way to the laws of nature and how we humans have the capacity to solve/unlock the mysterious of the nature. What do you wanna say about this beautiful connection between the laws of physics and nature?
Physics is a natural science and it is the science of how the universe works. Non physics people often miss this and it is a shame that they do. People write off physics as a subject they will not be able to understand. If people understood how vast it is they may find it more accessible.
* How politicians view science as opposed to the science of politics?
Politicians make demands on all academic groups without really understanding what goes on. They often get things wrong. There should be more autonomy in the world of academics and budgeting is way under what it should be. If a government does not value academics they do not value the future.
* Tips to inspire students to study physics and astronomy. How do you inspire your students to study physics?
If studying a subject that can help you understand the universe from the smallest particle up the the largest astronomical bodies then i cannot help!
* What message would you like to give to new generations who are willing to study physics at A-levels and also at university?
Physicists are important to the progression of society and humanity in general. It is a responsibility as some invention has the capacity for destruction. Go forward with a mind that being productive is more rewarding than destruction.
* Why did you choose to study physics ? and how does it feel to be a physicist?
As my favourite science and the one I had more talent for physics was the natural choice for university.
* Why is physics important in this world?
It is the elementary science that all others stem from. It explains the world and universe from the meta scale of huge distances between galaxies down to the micro scale of atoms and sub atomics. Chemistry and biology are just more specialised branches of physics. It has it all.
* In this past 50 years physicist have done great discoveries due to which physics now is given more importance, according to you which is the most important discovery physicist have made upto date?
I think what will be very important in the future will be to conserve energy and the resources of the planet. Particle physics has great potential to advance our understanding in this area so all the work on quantum physics has been greatly important.
* What problem do u think that physicist would have solved by the end of this century?
I hope they will be able to solve some energy problems and management of resources.
* No one knew that the nature will be someday be described by the laws of physics. It is absolutely fascinating how this beautiful mathematical equations has connection in some way to the laws of nature and how we humans have the capacity to solve/unlock the mysterious of the nature. What do you wanna say about this beautiful connection between the laws of physics and nature?
Physics is a natural science and it is the science of how the universe works. Non physics people often miss this and it is a shame that they do. People write off physics as a subject they will not be able to understand. If people understood how vast it is they may find it more accessible.
* How politicians view science as opposed to the science of politics?
Politicians make demands on all academic groups without really understanding what goes on. They often get things wrong. There should be more autonomy in the world of academics and budgeting is way under what it should be. If a government does not value academics they do not value the future.
* Tips to inspire students to study physics and astronomy. How do you inspire your students to study physics?
If studying a subject that can help you understand the universe from the smallest particle up the the largest astronomical bodies then i cannot help!
* What message would you like to give to new generations who are willing to study physics at A-levels and also at university?
Physicists are important to the progression of society and humanity in general. It is a responsibility as some invention has the capacity for destruction. Go forward with a mind that being productive is more rewarding than destruction.