Building Your Infinity Gauntlet: Identifying, Developing, and Mastering Your Talents as a Physics Student
Current statistics pertaining to the demographics of earned physics and astronomy degrees show a declining trend in the perceived diversity within last 20 years; making them two of the least diverse fields of study. According to the American Institute of Physics, on average, 10.6% of all physics bachelor’s degrees are awarded to Latino and Black students. A more startling statistic is about 1.0% of all physics doctorates in the last 25 years were awarded to Black graduates. This talk, given by North Carolina A&T State University Department of Physics alumnus Ronald Gamble, Jr, Ph.D, will explain what it means to identify, develop, and master your talents as a physics student. How can you, as an undergraduate student, manifest what you envision in the coming years as a Physicist? What “gems” are in your Infinity Gauntlet? In addition, this talk will also cover some of the challenges and difficulties of being a “physics major” and what that entails. Providing motivation as to what you are capable of with a degree in physics, and the infinite possibilities thereof.
What are your Talents?…
Make your presence known by participating in campus organizations unrelated to physics
Joining societies as an undergraduate student
Society of Physics Students (SPS, NCAT chapter)
National Society of Black Physicist (NSBP)
American Physical Society (APS)
Participating and attending conferences
Even if you have nothing to present! Just go
Leave a mark wherever you go!
Historically the most impactful physicists produced works in multiple fields of science.
Albert Einstein: Relativity (Special and General), Quantum Physics (the Photoelectric Effect, EPR Paradox), Molecular Physics (Brownian Motion)
Richard Feynman: Particle Physics (Quantum Electrodynamics, Feynman Diagrams), Mathematical Physics (Path Integral Formulation), Atomic/Molecular Physics.
Stephen Hawking: Cosmology (Cosmogenesis Theory, Big Bang), Thermodynamics (Black Hole Entropy, Blackbody Radiation), Astrophysics (Black Hole Event Horizon Area),
Abebe Kebede: Condensed Matter Physics (Superconductivity), Astronomy (Astrophotography, Solar Weather), Physics Education, Physics Society/Communication (ESAN, African Diaspora)
Ronald Gamble: Relativity (Extensions to General Relativity), Astrophysics (Black Hole Mechanics, Dark Matter, Gravitational Waves), Condensed Matter Physics (High-Temperature Superconductivity, Graphene Synthesis, Magnetic Materials), Biophysics (Quantum Biophysics, Neural Networks, Electro-Cardiology), Physics Education (Instruction, Course Design, Laboratory Design)
Problem solving and critical thinking
Fermi Calculations: Learn how to solve complex problems by doing smaller approximated calculations.
Logic, Philosophy, and Arithmetics intertwine to create Mathematics.
Mathematics is the language of physics.
Time is relative
…no seriously, time is really relative!
The Nobel Prize in Physics is the most difficult accolade to obtain in all of human existence….so GO GET ONE!
Marie Curie is the only person (so far) to be award TWO Nobel prizes in different fields: Physics and Chemistry
There has never been a physics noble laureate who has graduated from a HBCU.
There has never been a black or latino Nobel laureate in all sciences
Whatever you accomplish, do it well and do it completely.
If you have an idea, a concept, a theory, or a fragmented thought….work on it, develop it, and WRITE IT DOWN.
List of Unsolved Mysteries in Physics:
The nature of Dark Matter/Dark Energy — why is 95% of the universe unobservable?
The Arrow of Time — can time flow backwards?
Why is there an asymmetry of Matter to Antimatter?
Quantum Gravity….huh??
Does Magnetic Charge exist?
What the crap is in the “Boötes Void”?
The true essence of being a physicist is how creative can you be in describing nature.
Your creativity is your lifeline
How many ways can you describe a natural law or nature?
Can you decompose a complex mathematical equation, and reconstruct it into a simpler one?
Master the art of thinking outside the box
How do you perceive your reality as a Physicist?
What are your Super Powers?
How are you fulfilling your goals, even if it is in direct contradiction with your perceived environment?
