American Physical Society facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | APS |
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| Formation | May 20, 1899 |
| Type | Scientific |
| Purpose | To advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics |
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Membership
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50,000 |
The American Physical Society (APS) is a group for people who work in physics. It's a non-profit organization, meaning it doesn't aim to make money. APS has almost fifty different groups and sections. Its main goal is to help physics knowledge grow and spread.
The society publishes many science magazines, like the famous Physical Review and Physical Review Letters. It also holds more than twenty science meetings every year. APS is part of the American Institute of Physics. Since 2021, Jonathan Bagger has been the chief executive officer.
History of the APS
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." This means they wanted to help physics knowledge move forward and be shared widely. APS has been doing this ever since.
In the early years, APS mostly held science meetings, usually four times a year. In 1913, APS took over Physical Review. This was a science magazine that started in 1893 at Cornell University. Publishing journals then became the second main activity for APS. Other journals like Reviews of Modern Physics (1929) and Physical Review Letters (1958) followed. Over time, Physical Review split into five parts. This happened because physics fields grew and more articles were submitted.
More recently, APS does much more. After the Second World War, the government gave more money for science. In the 1960s, scientists became more involved with the public. Because of this, APS now works with the public and the government. It also works with physicists around the world. APS also has big programs for education, science outreach (especially physics outreach), and talking to the media. APS has 14 divisions and 11 topical groups. These cover all areas of physics research. There are also 6 forums for its 50,000 members to discuss bigger issues. Plus, there are 9 sections organized by different areas of the country.
In 1999, APS celebrated its 100th birthday with the biggest physics meeting ever in Atlanta. In 2005, APS led the United States' part in the World Year of Physics. They started programs to share physics widely. This was to celebrate 100 years since Albert Einstein's amazing year (his annus mirabilis). Einstein@Home was one project APS started. It's still a popular project where people use their computers to help with science research.
Why the Name "APS Physics" Was Added
In 2005, APS members voted on changing the name to American Physics Society. Most members liked this idea. However, due to legal reasons, the name change didn't happen.
To help people know that APS is a physics group, the APS Executive Board added "APS Physics" to its logo. On November 1, 2022, APS introduced a new logo to replace the "APS Physics" one.
Groups within APS
The American Physical Society has 47 different groups. These include divisions, forums, topical groups, and sections. They show the many different interests of people who study physics.
Divisions
Divisions focus on specific areas of physics research.
- Astrophysics (DAP): This group studies physics related to space and stars.
- Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics (DAMOP): This is the oldest division, started in 1943. It focuses on basic research about atoms, simple molecules, electrons, and light. It also studies how they interact. This division gives out awards and holds yearly meetings for top researchers.
- Biological Physics (DBIO): This group has over 2,000 members. It studies how physics and biology connect. This means using physics tools to study living things. It also means finding new physics questions within biology. They support many talks at the annual March Meeting. Topics include protein biophysics, neuroscience, and evolution. They also give out the Max Delbruck Prize.
- Computational Physics (DCOMP): This division has over 2,000 members. It focuses on using computers in physics research and teaching. This includes using computers for experiments, theory, and education. It also covers how physics helps develop computer technology. This group helps its members connect and share ideas.
- Condensed Matter Physics (DCMP): This group studies the physical properties of solid and liquid materials.
- Fluid Dynamics (DFD): This group studies how liquids and gases move.
- Nuclear Physics (DNP): This group focuses on the study of atomic nuclei.
- Plasma Physics (DPP): This group studies plasma, which is a superheated state of matter.
Forums
Forums focus on broader issues that interest APS members.
- Diversity and Inclusion (FDI)
- Early Career Scientists (FECS)
- Education (FEd)
- Physics and Society (FPS)
Sections
Sections are organized by geographical region.
- Eastern Great Lakes (EGLS)
- New England (NES)
- Texas (TSAPS)
Topical Groups
Topical groups focus on specific, often newer, areas of physics.
- Data Science (GDS)
- Energy Research and Applications (GERA)
- Medical Physics (GMED)
- Physics of Climate (GPC)
Programs
APS runs many programs to support physics education and careers.
Physics Teacher Education Coalition
The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) helps universities train physics teachers. It's a joint project with the American Association of Physics Teachers. PhysTEC helps schools create strong physics teacher programs. It's a national network that wants to improve physics teaching.
APS Bridge Program
The APS Bridge Program helps more minority students get advanced degrees in physics. It gives money from the National Science Foundation to schools. These schools help students prepare for doctoral studies. They offer extra classes, mentors, research, and help with applications.
Scholarship for Minority Undergraduate Physics Majors
This scholarship started in 1980. Its goal is to help more minority students earn bachelor's degrees in physics. The program gives money and mentors to talented students.
Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics
APS Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (APS CUWiP) are three-day meetings for women studying physics in college. These conferences help women stay in physics. They offer a chance to attend a professional meeting. They also give information about graduate school and physics jobs. Plus, they connect young women with other women in physics to share ideas and advice.
Career Center
The APS Careers in Physics website helps physicists, students, and anyone interested in physics. It provides information about physics jobs and careers. The website has a job board and offers advice for professional growth. It also links to workshops, grants, and other career resources.
New Faculty Workshop
APS helps organize workshops for new physics and astronomy teachers. These workshops reach almost half of all new teachers. They teach new ways of teaching, share research on physics education, and offer time management tips. This helps new teachers start and improve their academic careers.
Physics Outreach
The APS Physics Outreach program aims to "Communicate the excitement and importance of physics to everyone." As part of this, it has an educational website called PhysicsCentral. It also gives money to APS members to create educational programs. Plus, it runs the Historic Physics Sites Initiative. This program finds and celebrates important historical 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 in physics. Topics include great leadership, computational physics, lasers, mathematics, and more.
See also
In Spanish: Sociedad Estadounidense de Física para niños
- Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
- Fellows of the American Physical Society
