Question: Because you don't do experiments does this make your job more difficult?

Rosie Hayward answered on 26 Jun 2020:

It’s hard to say whether it’s more difficult or not. Experiments can be very difficult, because sometimes you have to put in long hours, or sometimes your equipment breaks, and I’m sure that can be really frustrating.

Not having an experiment can be difficult too, because sometimes I don’t have a specific task to do, and I don’t have fixed hours where I have to be in a lab, and the only thing I have to do is think. It’s easy to end up avoiding work because you’re not really sure what to do next, or to start thinking about work all the time.

Some people find maths really hard, which puts them off theoretical physics, and they might say this makes it more difficult. Personally, I find it difficult to do experiments, as they require a lot of repetition, care, and patience! My work does too, but I can walk away from it and go back to it whenever – you can’t always do this with experiments.

If you’re interested in studying physics, I would give both theoretical and experimental physics a go. Research is difficult, but it’s also fun, rewarding, and fascinating! Theoretical physics research isn’t like learning maths and physics for exams at all, and you might really enjoy it.