How to Write Your Own Physics Poem
Why Read This
What Makes This Article Worth Your Time
Summary
What This Article Is About
Sam Illingworth explores the unexpected parallels between physics and poetry in his book The Poetry of Physics, arguing that both disciplines rely on structure, rhythm, and precision to distill complex ideas into elegant forms. He highlights how physicists like James Clerk Maxwell and astrophysicist Rebecca Elson have used poetry to explore scientific concepts, demonstrating that physics extends beyond numbers to encompass patterns, motion, and meaning.
The article provides practical guidance for writing physics poetry, focusing on the nonnet—a nine-line form with decreasing syllables that naturally embodies concepts like entropy and decay. Illingworth demonstrates how poetic structure can mirror scientific processes, making abstract physics concepts viscerally understandable through form that reinforces content, ultimately encouraging readers to recognize the inherent poetry already woven throughout the physical universe.
Key Points
Main Takeaways
Shared Foundations
Physics and poetry both depend on structure, rhythm, and precision to capture fundamental truths about the universe in clear, elegant forms.
Physicist-Poets
Scientists like Maxwell and Elson have successfully merged physics with poetry, proving science encompasses patterns and meaning beyond mere calculations.
The Nonnet Form
This nine-line poem with diminishing syllables perfectly embodies physical processes like entropy, where form visually reinforces the concept of gradual decay.
Structure as Scaffold
Poetic forms provide boundaries that guide scientific exploration, teaching control and precision before writers eventually experiment with free verse approaches.
Process Mirrors Product
Writing physics poetry resembles scientific experimentation—requiring refinement and revision until form and meaning achieve perfect alignment and resonance.
Poetry Already Exists
The universe inherently contains poetry in planetary orbits, cosmic symmetry, and quantum states—writers merely recognize and articulate what’s already present.
Master Reading Comprehension
Practice with 365 curated articles and 2,400+ questions across 9 RC types.
Article Analysis
Breaking Down the Elements
Main Idea
Interdisciplinary Connection
Physics and poetry share fundamental principles of structure and precision that enable both to capture universal truths. By using specific poetic forms like the nonnet, writers can embody physical processes in ways that make abstract scientific concepts tangibly understandable through the interplay of form and content.
Purpose
To Instruct and Inspire
Illingworth aims to demystify scientific poetry by providing concrete techniques for writing physics poems, encouraging readers to recognize the inherent poetic qualities of physical phenomena. He seeks to empower writers to bridge the perceived gap between art and science through accessible, structured approaches to creative science communication.
Structure
Conceptual → Practical → Aspirational
The article begins by establishing the theoretical connection between physics and poetry, transitions to detailed instruction on the nonnet form with concrete entropy example, then progresses to broader creative applications and encouragement. This movement from abstract principle to specific technique to open-ended possibility creates a natural learning progression for aspiring physics poets.
Tone
Encouraging, Instructional & Contemplative
Illingworth maintains an accessible, supportive tone that invites readers into scientific poetry without intimidation, balancing practical guidance with philosophical reflections on the inherent artistry of physics. His encouraging approach emphasizes experimentation and revision while celebrating the existing poetry woven throughout the physical universe.
Key Terms
Vocabulary from the Article
Click each card to reveal the definition
Build your vocabulary systematically
Each article in our course includes 8-12 vocabulary words with contextual usage.
Tough Words
Challenging Vocabulary
Tap each card to flip and see the definition
The branch of physics that studies the relationships between heat, work, temperature, and energy in physical systems.
“Maxwell wrote verse about atoms, thermodynamics and imposter syndrome.”
A scientist who studies the physical properties and behavior of celestial objects and phenomena in the universe.
“Rebecca Elson, an astrophysicist studying dark matter, wrote poems that fused cosmic exploration with human fragility.”
Relating to the interaction of electric currents and magnetic fields, producing radiation that travels through space as waves.
“James Clerk Maxwell, the Scottish physicist and mathematician behind the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation.”
A complex thirty-nine-line poetic form with six stanzas of six lines each, plus a three-line conclusion, using elaborate repetition patterns.
“Perhaps a haiku, a villanelle, or maybe even a sestina?”
Decided, arranged, or established in advance before the actual occurrence or without regard to specific circumstances.
“Write about physics with no predetermined form. Let the language shape itself.”
The quality of being easily broken, damaged, or destroyed; delicacy or vulnerability to physical or emotional harm.
“Rebecca Elson wrote poems that fused cosmic exploration with human fragility.”
Reading Comprehension
Test Your Understanding
5 questions covering different RC question types
1According to the article, both physics and poetry rely on structure, rhythm, and precision to distill complex ideas into elegant forms.
2What makes the nonnet form particularly suitable for writing about entropy?
3Which sentence best captures Illingworth’s view on the relationship between structured and free verse poetry?
4Evaluate these statements about the article’s examples of physicist-poets:
James Clerk Maxwell wrote poetry about thermodynamics and electromagnetic theory.
Rebecca Elson was an astrophysicist who combined cosmic themes with human vulnerability in her poetry.
Both Maxwell and Elson invented the nonnet form specifically for physics poetry.
Select True or False for all three statements, then click “Check Answers”
5Based on the article’s progression and concluding message, what can we infer about Illingworth’s ultimate goal?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Entropy measures disorder or randomness within a system, and according to the second law of thermodynamics, it can only increase or remain constant in isolated systems—never decrease. The nonnet’s structure of diminishing syllables (starting at nine and decreasing by one per line) creates a visual and rhythmic representation of this natural progression toward disorder, making the form itself embody the physical process it describes.
Illingworth draws this parallel to illustrate how foundational knowledge enables more sophisticated experimentation. Just as quantum mechanics could only emerge after centuries of classical physics established fundamental principles, free verse poetry becomes most effective when writers first understand the traditional forms they’re departing from. This progression from structured learning to experimental freedom applies to both disciplines, suggesting mastery requires understanding conventions before transcending them.
Maxwell was a Scottish physicist and mathematician who developed the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation and also wrote poetry about scientific topics including atoms and thermodynamics. Elson was an astrophysicist researching dark matter who wrote poetry that combined cosmic exploration with themes of human fragility. Both exemplify how accomplished scientists have used poetry to explore and express scientific concepts beyond pure mathematical formulation.
Readlite provides curated articles with comprehensive analysis including summaries, key points, vocabulary building, and practice questions across 9 different RC question types. Our Ultimate Reading Course offers 365 articles with 2,400+ questions to systematically improve your reading comprehension skills.
This article is classified as Intermediate difficulty. It requires understanding of abstract concepts like entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, uses some domain-specific vocabulary (astrophysicist, electromagnetic, villanelle), and explores metaphorical connections between disparate fields. However, it maintains accessible language and provides clear examples like the entropy nonnet to illustrate complex ideas, making it suitable for readers developing sophisticated analytical skills without requiring advanced physics background.
The Brilliant Poetry Competition 2025 is an international writing contest that invites submissions exploring connections between science and poetry. This year’s theme focuses on UNESCO’s international year of quantum science and technology. The competition accepts entries in English, French, and Spanish, offering prizes up to £1,000. It represents a practical opportunity for writers to apply the physics poetry techniques Illingworth describes.
The Ultimate Reading Course covers 9 RC question types: Multiple Choice, True/False, Multi-Statement T/F, Text Highlight, Fill in the Blanks, Matching, Sequencing, Error Spotting, and Short Answer. This comprehensive coverage prepares you for any reading comprehension format you might encounter.
