What kind of programming one might have to do as a physicist?

Answer 1

Physics is all about various mathematical formulas for motion, optics, gravitation, magnetic attraction, nuclear decay, etc. Depending on what area of physics one works in, the odds are you'll be using at least some of them a lot.

If you are asking what programming language one might use, there are any number of possibilities (literally, ANY existing language might be used, altho some are more versatile than others.) However, one language that has traditionally seen more use in scientific application is FORTRAN.