American Physical Society facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Not to be confused with the American Physical Society which was absorbed by the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh in 1796.

Quick facts for kids
American Physical Society

Abbreviation	APS
Formation	May 20, 1899; 126 years ago (1899-05-20)
Type	Scientific society
Legal status	501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Purpose	To advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics
Location	American Center for Physics College Park, Maryland, U.S.
Membership	50,000
President	Young-Kee Kim
Key people	Jonathan A. Bagger (CEO)

The American Physical Society (APS) is a big group for people who work in physics and related fields. It has almost fifty different parts, like divisions and sections. Its main goal is to help physics knowledge grow and spread.

The APS publishes many science magazines, including the famous Physical Review and Physical Review Letters. It also holds more than twenty science meetings every year. The APS is part of the American Institute of Physics. Since January 2021, Jonathan Bagger has been its chief executive officer.

History of the American Physical Society

The American Physical Society started on May 20, 1899. Thirty-six physicists met at Columbia University to create it. They said the new group's job was "to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics." The APS has been doing this ever since.

Early Activities and Publications

In its early years, the APS mostly held science meetings, usually four times a year. In 1913, the APS took over Physical Review. This magazine had started in 1893 at Cornell University. Publishing journals then became the APS's second main activity.

Later, other journals were added, like Reviews of Modern Physics in 1929 and Physical Review Letters in 1958. Over time, Phys. Rev. split into five different parts. This happened as physics fields grew and more articles were submitted.

Growth and Public Involvement

In more recent years, the APS has done many more things. After the Second World War, more money was given to science. Also, in the 1960s, scientists became more involved in public matters. Because of this, the APS now works with the public and government. It also works with physicists around the world.

The APS also has many programs for education, science outreach (especially physics outreach), and talking with the media. It has fourteen divisions and eleven topical groups that cover all areas of physics research. Six forums show what its fifty thousand members are interested in, and nine sections are organized by different areas.

Centennial and World Year of Physics

In 1999, APS Physics celebrated its 100th birthday with the largest physics meeting ever in Atlanta. In 2005, the APS led the United States' part in the World Year of Physics. It started programs to tell many people about physics. This was for the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's amazing year of discoveries. Einstein@Home, one project the APS started, is still running and helps with computer calculations.

Logo and Name Changes

In 2005, the APS asked its members if they wanted to change the name to American Physics Society. Most members liked this idea. However, for legal reasons, the APS Executive Board decided not to change the name.

To help people know that APS is about physics, the APS Executive Board added "APS Physics" to its logo. On November 1, 2022, the APS introduced a new logo to replace the APS Physics one.

Units of the American Physical Society

The American Physical Society has 47 different units. These include divisions, forums, topical groups, and sections. They represent the many interests of the physics community.

Divisions

Divisions focus on specific areas of physics research.

Astrophysics (DAP): Studies space and stars.
Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics (DAMOP): This division studies atoms, simple molecules, electrons, and light. It looks at how they interact. This is the oldest division, started in 1943. It gives out awards for scientists in this field. It also holds yearly meetings for researchers.
Biological Physics (DBIO): This division has over 2,000 members. It works to advance knowledge where physics and biology meet. This means using physics tools to study living things. It also means finding new physics questions in biology. The division supports many presentations at the yearly March Meeting of the APS. Topics include protein biophysics, neuroscience, and evolution. It also gives awards like the Max Delbruck Prize.
Chemical Physics (DCP): Studies physics related to chemistry.
Computational Physics (DCOMP): This division has over 2,000 members. It works to advance knowledge about using computers in physics research and teaching. This includes using computers for experiments, theory, and education. It also includes using physics to make computer technology better. This division helps its members connect and share ideas. It also promotes research and cooperation in computational physics.
Condensed Matter Physics (DCMP): Studies the physical properties of materials.
Fluid Dynamics (DFD): Studies how liquids and gases move.
Gravitational Physics (DGRAV): Studies gravity.
Laser Science (DLS): Studies lasers.
Materials Physics (DMP): Studies the physics of materials.
Nuclear Physics (DNP): Studies the nucleus of atoms.
Particles and Fields (DPF): Studies tiny particles and forces.
Physics of Beams (DPB): Studies how particle beams work.
Plasma Physics (DPP): Studies plasma, a state of matter.
Polymer Physics (DPOLY): Studies polymers.
Quantum Information (DQI): Studies quantum computing and information.
Soft Matter (DSOFT): Studies soft materials like gels and foams.

Forums

Forums bring together members with shared interests in broader topics.

Diversity and Inclusion (FDI)
Early Career Scientists (FECS)
Education (FEd)
Graduate Student Affairs (FGSA)
History and Philosophy of Physics (FHPP)
Industrial and Applied Physics (FIAP)
International Physics (FIP)
Outreach and Engaging the Public (FOEP)
Physics and Society (FPS)

Sections

Sections are organized by geographical region.

Eastern Great Lakes (EGLS)
Far West Section (FWS)
Four Corners (4CS)
Mid-Atlantic (MAS)
New England (NES)
New York State (NYSS)
Northwest (NWS)
Prairie Section (PSAPS)
Southeastern (SESAPS)
Texas (TSAPS)

Topical Groups

Topical groups focus on specific, often newer, areas of physics.

Data Science (GDS)
Energy Research and Applications (GERA)
Few-Body Systems (GFB)
Hadronic Physics (GHP)
Instrument and Measurement Science (GIMS)
Magnetism (GMAG)
Medical Physics (GMED)
Physics Education Research (GPER)
Physics of Climate (GPC)
Plasma Astrophysics (GPAP)
Precision Measurement & Fundamental Constants (GPMFC)
Shock Compression of Condensed Matter (SHOCK)
Statistical and Nonlinear Physics (GSNP)

Programs and Initiatives

The APS runs many programs to support physics education and careers.

Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC)

PhysTEC is a project by the APS and the American Association of Physics Teachers. It helps universities make their physics teacher training programs better. These programs become models for others across the country.

Bridge Program

The APS Bridge Program helps more minority students earn advanced degrees in physics. It gives funding to universities to prepare students for doctoral studies. This includes extra classes, mentoring, and research help.

Scholarship for Minority Undergraduate Physics Majors

This scholarship started in 1980. Its goal is to increase the number of minority students who get bachelor's degrees in physics. The program gives money and guidance to talented students.

Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics

These are three-day meetings for female physics students. The conferences help young women stay in physics. They get to experience a professional conference. They also learn about graduate school and physics jobs. They can meet other women in physics and share ideas.

Career Center

The APS Careers in Physics website helps physicists and students find information. It has a job board and offers advice for professional growth. It also links to workshops, grants, and other career resources.

New Faculty Workshop

The APS helps organize workshops for new physics and astronomy professors. These workshops teach new professors about modern teaching methods. They also learn about physics education research and time management.

CSWP/COM Site Visits

The APS wants to make physics departments better for women and minority groups. Two committees, CSWP and COM, visit universities and national labs. They work to improve the environment for these groups.

Education Conferences

The APS is a leader in physics education. It sponsors many conferences to help physics education leaders. These conferences help them stay updated on new trends. They include meetings for physics department chairs and graduate education.

Physics Outreach

The APS physics outreach program aims to "Communicate the excitement and importance of physics to everyone." It has an educational website called PhysicsCentral. It also gives grants to members to create educational programs. The APS also runs the Historic Physics Sites Initiative. This program finds and celebrates important physics locations in the United States.

Prizes and Awards

The American Physical Society gives out many awards. These awards recognize excellent research and good conduct. Topics include leadership, computational physics, lasers, mathematics, and more.