On this very day exactly one year ago Carl Talks Physics burst into existence, much like our universe nearly 13.7 billion years ago. Unlike our universe though, the path that we have taken could not have been predicted by elegant laws crafted by mathematicians.  We would like to thank every single one of you that has dropped by to read an article or to catch up on the latest news and developments within the field. Our hope is that every single one of you has left the site knowing more than when you first visited.

Our most popular item over the past year has been our guide to work experience placements and internships during summer 2012. Don’t forget to keep checking back to see when schemes and placements have opened up for applications so you can get a head start in your career, whatever you want to do after studying physics. We hope this has been a valuable tool – we will endeavour to update it as often as possible! Good luck with those applications.

During the past year, we have published twenty four original articles, filling your minds with knowledge on topics ranging from particle physics to how we describe the physics of our chaotic atmosphere. From small white dwarfs to the evolution of the entire universe. Some of the most popular reads have been those about our own backyard and the planet we were born on and will grow old on; Earth. The images within them are some we will keep with us forever and hope you will too.

Your first birthday is always a special event, so it feels right that we are making a bit of a fuss about ours. Instead of that tired old tradition where you would buy us a present, we are going to give you a present. Well, actually, we’re going to give you guys the chance to win a special physics related prize.

Competition

We are giving you the chance to win Professor Brian Cox’s Wonders Collection. This DVD boxset consists of ‘Wonders of the Solar System’ and ‘Wonders of the Universe’ on 4 discs and is probably the most fantastic example of science outreach within the past few years.

To get your hands on this fantastic prize, all you have to do is leave a comment below with a short description of the area of physics you’re most interested in and why. Don’t forget to leave a valid e-mail address which we can contact you through should you win! The competition closes on 31 January 2012 – good luck!

Competition rules:

1. Entry is restricted to one entry per household.
2. Automated, bulk, multiple and third-party entries will be disqualified.
3. Late, incomplete or invalid entries will be disqualified.
4. Open to residents of the mainland United Kingdom (UK) only.
5. Prizes can only be sent to a valid UK address.
6. Winners will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
7. Winners will be contacted via email address.
8. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
9. Carl Talks Physics is compliant with the data protection act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.
10. The competition will run from 25 December 2011 00:01 GMT until 31 January 2012 23:59 GMT.