Inaugural physics lectures open to all
09/27/2012 00:00:00
Entitled "Making Waves", the series of six lectures will showcase the cutting edge research that takes place in the UK's top-rated physics department.
From the smallest subatomic particles, to the daunting scale of the cosmos, from the lowest temperatures possible to the super-heated atmosphere of the Sun, Lancaster University physicists will take you on a journey through our understanding of the Universe.
One of the organisers, Dr Jim Wild, said: “There seems to be a real appetite for science among the general public and Lancaster's Physics Department is rated as one of the very best in the country. We'd really like to engage with Lancastrians and let them know about the exciting research that takes place on their doorstep.”
The first lecture on October 9 will be given by Dr Laura Kormos, who will be using ice cream to illustrate the nature of subatomic particles called neutrinos.
She said: “Ice cream has flavours just like neutrinos and I will be using Neapolitan ice cream to show the probability of different flavours occurring.”
She said she hoped there would be a lot of interest in the lecture.
“The work we do is interesting and exciting stuff, but people don’t hear about it and can’t easily ask questions - but now you can! After all, the work we physicists do is funded by the general public, so you have a right to know.”
Other topics include the “Holy grail of Particle Physics” the Higgs boson, the question of what existed before the Big Bang, extreme cold, solar storms and the mysteries of invisible waves.
The lectures at the Storey Institute in Lancaster run from October 9 to November 13 at 7pm. Tickets are free but registration is required here or call 01524 592067.