Personal Statement I have a passion for understanding how the world works and physics is the subject that

explores this issue and more importantly tries to answer the question of why the world works. It looks at the world on both a universal and atomic level, from the mechanics of galaxies to the awesome strangeness of quantum entanglement physics. It involves problem solving, using logic and maths to reach conclusions and often times this involves really challenging myself to venture down avenues of thought which are usually wrong, but the feeling of gratification when a problem unravels before you is unparalelled. It asks philosophical questions while also being the driving force being technological advances, be it breakthroughs in the field of medicine to cure cancer using gamma radiation. While physics gives us the ability to grasp the theoretical, that which we can never test in a controlled environment, it also allows us to observe the inner workings of nature in some of its more bizarre moments. We can form and test hypothesis. In order to pursue this passion I visited the European Space Centre for a week last February... this gave me a clear insight into how fundamental physics is when . Within the syllabus I am particularly looking forward to the astrophysics optional module which will be covered at some point this year in anticipation of which I have researched the various life stages of stars, from red dwarfs to potential blue dwarfs and their spectacular death as supernova. Of the physics I have studied of my IB I really enjoyed the complex problem solving of projectiles using the suvat equations to predict the speed and placement of various objects be they snooker balls or satellites. Just as this love of problem solving attracts me to physics it also endows me with an appreciation of maths and the longer, more intricate questions I am often faced with in the IB. I enjoy the challenge of finding diverse and creative solutions to problems, these skills have transferred well to physics. An understanding of subjects such as differentiation and integration from maths has been directly useful to physics in a wide variety of topics and a range of question types, it has been very rewarding to see seemingly redundant mathematical skills used to help solve real world questions. While there are transferable skill sets from maths that I have used for physics there are also connections between philosophy and physics; they both seek to answer the fundamental questions such as where we came from but approach it from two distinct paths, both use reason and while physics is the one that utilises maths it is philosophy that shares the same content and approach, that of applying reason and logic to seemingly illogical problems. Skills that I believe I can use from philosophy are the ability to structure an extended argument and present conflicting points of view. In addition the ethical implications of physics which have been discussed and approached from numerous viewpoints (example). English has also helped develop my analytical skills which will be useful for interpreting the write-up of experiments; an appreciation of literature has also been born out of this study English, its impact on how science is perceived and how technology has advanced, examples such as (examples). As a leading hand in the Royal Navy in the CCF of the school my role is to motivate the younger members as well as plan and lead activity afternoons for them this has vastly improved time management. As part of a group of NCOs I both lead the planning stage and act as a team player in the organization of these activities. I have used the oppurtunities provided by the Navy to earn a powerboating license while on a weeks course in Plymouth, I have also been white-water rafting and stayed on weekends onboard warships.

In the summer of 2012 on an expedition in the rainforests of Guyana I undertook the surveys of animal populations. This involved walking transects to look for large mammals and birds, setting up mist nets to trap birds and bats. All this data had to be recorded in a structured way and then input to the database back at camp. This data was used by the locals to help them conserve the forests and used by the researchers out there to provide justification for arguments against deforestation, although not a biologist this was simply too good an oppurtunity to pass up as I have always loved the idea of trekking through the jungle. I took up the guitar seven years ago and continue to improve to this day.