What is physics?
Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature—from the grand movements of galaxies down to the subatomic realm of quarks and leptons. It is an endeavor to discover the simple principles that underlie the complexity of our universe.
As Richard Feynman famously noted, "What I cannot create, I do not understand." In physics, true understanding isn't just about memorizing equations or names; it is about being able to construct, explain, and rebuild a concept from its simplest foundations.
The "What is" Series
What is Electric Charge?
June 2026An intuitive, foundational dive into the nature of electric charge. Available in both English and Chinese.
Other Notes / Essays & Writings
Canonical vs Path Integral Quantization
Spring 2024A comparison of canonical operator quantisation and Feynman's path integral formalism, featuring derivations and pragmatic trade-offs.
Black Hole Thermodynamics
Autumn 2024A brief survey of the four laws of black hole mechanics, Bekenstein–Hawking entropy, and Hawking radiation.
Quantum Harmonic Ensemble
Spring 2025Deriving the partition function for a canonical ensemble of quantum harmonic oscillators across energy, position, and momentum representations.
Neutrino Mass & Oscillations
Spring 2025Review of experimental evidence for neutrino flavour oscillations, mass models, and mixing formalism.
Action Principle in Electrodynamics
Summer 2025Deriving Maxwell’s equations in vacuum from a relativistic Lagrangian, discussing gauge freedom and Noether currents.
Polarised Deuteron Breakup
Summer 2025Investigating polarised-deuteron scattering observables and polarimeter design to probe nuclear symmetry energy.
Complex Scalar Klein-Gordon Field
Derivation of canonical momenta and commutation relations for a complex Klein–Gordon field.