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What subjects do I need to learn Theoretical Physics?
Hi there. I am very interested in theoretical physics. I love math and I am re-learning it from the beginning so that I can get to theoretical physics. Thing of it is, I'm not that into science and technically physics is considered a science subject. So my question is: What K-12 branches of Science are going to be mandatory for me to learn to enter into physics 101? Can I get into physics 101/theoretical physics with just math under my belt?
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Maybe give some free advice about: School?
Well, you're going to want all the math you can get. And I mean ALL of it. "Theoretical" means it can go basically anywhere, using any kind of math it can find to try to find a solution. And when I say any math, I mean ANY math. You'll find yourself using calculus(both types), algebra, geometry, trigonometry, linear algebra, statistics, differential equations, methods of approximation, etc. You'll also want to take physics in high school, and probably chemistry. The two subjects actually have a very strong relationship.
Now, I'm not trying to discourage you, but theoretical physics is a VERY hard field to succeed in. It's basically a career of racing towards an answer and trying to beat(or work for)minds like Stephen Hawking's. You must be VERY determined, VERY focused, EXTREMELY intelligent, and yes, in fact, on a genius scale. Literally.
After all, theoretical physics is the career path of someone trying to answer the great, unanswered questions of the universe, how it works, how it came to be, and if/how it might all end, and when. I've gotten into it myself - not as a career, but as something I work on on the side - and it takes all I have in me not to get completely lost. I took several science and math courses throughout my school years, and tested officially for an IQ score of 148. For comparison, Einstein was estimated to have an IQ of 160, and he was one of the modern fore-fathers of the entire field of theoretical physics.
Now, I'm not saying you can't do it. If you're interested in it, and not instantly bored by the whole concept and the numbers behind it, that shows you most likely are very intelligent. If you want to be a theoretical physicist, you should work your hardest to make that dream come true. Because the world can't solve these questions without brilliant minds, and as far as I know, you could be the future discoverer of time travel.
So you go on and you take classes in calculus, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, linear algebra, statistics, differential equations, methods of approximation, physics, chemistry, and anything else that might be related(the science is advancing at an amazing rate, so this list might not be complete as-is), and you make yourself into a theoretical physicist. I look forward to maybe working with you some day.
I hope this helped.
~Panda
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