What is a Particle Physicist?

A particle physicist studies and experiments with subatomic particles. What is the universe made of? How were the planets and the stars created in the beginning of the universe? Do black holes exist? Are there other dimensions? All particle physicists aim to answer these tough questions using the science of subatomic particles.

• Subatomic particles are smaller than atoms.

Most particle physicists choose between two career paths: Experimental particle physicist, and theoretical particle physicist.

The experimental particle physicist designs experiments that are used to discover new particles or test theories, then they analyze the results of the experiments.

Theoretical particle physicists create mathematical quantum theories and formulas, and they attempt to understand the results obtained by experimental particle physicists. Theories can be based on data collected by experimental particle physicists. Theoretical particle physicists take their theories and show them to experimental particle physicists, who will design the experiments to test the theories.

*Fun Fact!*

According to current studies, 95% of the universe is composed of things that we cannot see; dark matter and dark energy. If you become a particle physicist, these are only two things that you could be studying!

Particle physicists can find work in both the public and the private sector.

If a particle physicist is working in the public sector, they are probably working at one of these places:

• University
• College
• High school
• Government Research Lab

In the private sector, particle physicists can work at different kinds of jobs and different workplaces, such as:

• Aerospace Research and Development Departments
• Computer Hardware Companies
• Medical Technology Companies

*The difference between the public and the private sectors:

• Public Sector: Government-owned organizations, products, or services.
• Private Sector: Organizations that are not owned by the government.

Particle physicists normally work indoors in clean, well-lit offices or, occasionally, laboratories. They use computers to create simulations of different subatomic phenomena so that they can collect and analyze data from the simulation, hoping to learn something new that advances their knowledge of subatomic particles. They work for 8 - 10 hours per day and around 40 - 60 hours per week. Depending on where particle physicists work there are hazards that they have to watch out for. High-powered lasers, dangerous chemicals, toxic materials, radiation, and toxic gases are a few things that they have to watch out for.