What do quantum physicists do? and plasma physicicts? and theoretical physicists?

Question

What do quantum physicists do? and plasma physicicts? and theoretical physicists?

Answer 1

There are many ways to divide the field of physics.  One way is to split it between theoretical and experimental physics.  Experimental physics involves testing theories and explaining observations.  Theoretical physics comes up with those theories.  The main difference between those two fields is the theoretical physicist will use a pen and paper, or a computer, while the experimental physicist will have a lab and apparatus.  Every branch of physics will have both theorists and experimentalists.

Another way to break up physicist is by field.

Quantum physics isn't really a field of physics, it a subject in physics.  Almost all physics will involve quantum physics (expect geophysics and some other stuff like that).  So it is hard to say what quantum physicists do.

Plasma physics is a field, and those physicist study plasmas, which are collections of charged particles.  The things they study can range from stars, to inter-galactic dust clouds, to collections of charged ions in trap.  What they do depends a lot on what system they study.  The only thing that ties the different systems together is the math the describes them.

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics

quantum deals with the slow and small

plasma with high energy gases

theoretical physics with non observable (yet) phenomena