Physics Schools Talks

This is our 2011-12 selection of Physics based talks, which is aimed at broadening S3-S6, Y9-Y13 pupils’ and students’ appreciation of the wide-ranging applications of physics. These talks are free (to you) and held in your School or College.

For ALL Physics talks initially contact us via Physics-Talks@hw.ac.uk

New for 2011-12 Dr Dawn Beddard. "Light detection and how this relates to ‘Health Physics’" for S3-S4.  This activity is a combination of a presentation and some hands-on practical work for the students.  A short talk will be given describing the eye as a camera, light beyond the visible spectrum and the applications of light in the medical field. The later will include reference to cancer treatment and cell manipulation. Following the talk, half the class will investigate the visible spectrum by making their own spectrometers from blank CDs. Meanwhile the other half will construct cardboard cameras to study the effect of a lens on an image. There will be an opportunity to share the findings with the whole class. All necessary equipment will be provided.

New for 2011-12 Dr Sabrina Maniscalco. "Video Documentary: Inside the light: The mystery of light in quantum physics" for S3-S6, Y10-Y13
What is light? This question has fascinated mankind since the origin of times. Ancient Egyptians believed that light was made of particles travelling from the sun and hitting our eyes. However, more recently, physicists discovered that light is an electromagnetic wave. The investigation of light has given rise to one of the most important revolutions in the history of Science: the birth of Quantum Physics. All this and much more will be presented in the documentary “Inside the light: The mystery of light in quantum physics”. The film is a poetic portrayal of one of the most fundamental phenomena in nature: the interaction of matter and light at the smallest possible level.  The documentary has been filmed at the laboratories of Prof. Haroche, in Paris and Prof. Lange in Brighton and contains interviews with the scientists of the two world-leading groups. The experiments conducted by these two teams are unique: they are able to isolate a single atom, the smallest unit of matter, and let it interact with a single photon, the smallest unit of light.  The video documentary lasts about 40 minutes and will be followed by a Question and Answer Session.

New for 2011-12 Dr Robert Thomson. "Using lasers to find ET" for for S3-S6, Y10-Y13 In the 50 years since the invention of the laser, it has gone from being a research curiosity to one of the most important technological developments of the last century. They have found applications in every area of technology including medicine, telecommunications, space science and manufacturing. Despite the ubiquitous nature of the laser, laser science it is still an extremely active area of academic research, both in terms of developing new laser sources and their applications.  At Heriot-Watt we use advanced lasers that emit incredibly short pulses of light, only one trillionth of a second long, to write optical circuits. These are the optical equivalent of electronics, and enable light to be manipulated in much the same way as integrated electronic circuits manipulate electrons. During my talk I will review the laser and its development since its invention and how we exploring laser written optical devices that will impact areas as wide ranging as cancer diagnosis to the detection of extraterrestrial life.

Dr Lynn Paterson. "Shedding new light on Biology" for S3-S6, Y10-Y13 There has been a long tradition of interplay between the physical and life sciences over the centuries. Recent advances in the physics of light are driving forward the fields of biology and medicine. Light can be used to watch the goings on inside living cells and can also be used to grab, move, cut and fuse microscopic, biological particles. In this talk we explore how light can be used to understand more about living organisms.

Dr Andrew Waddie. "Looking beneath the ground" for S4-S6, Y10-Y13 What (and how) can you see beneath your feet when you can’t dig a hole? The increasing popularity of archaeological programmes on the television has brought the hitherto obscure field of geophysical prospecting to some prominence. In this talk we shall outline some of the physical methods used to look for objects buried beneath the ground and consider some of the practical implications of the deployment of these methods in the field.

Prof John Wilson. "Plasma – energy source and engineering tool" for S3-S6, Y10-Y13
Electrical discharges in gases, known as plasmas, range from very hot to cold, but are highly colourful and mobile “fourth states of matter”. Our streets at night are illuminated by efficient discharge lamps and our household low energy bulbs rely on plasma to work; plasma is also responsible for the picture on modern TVs. Cold plasmas can provide safe ways to destroy bacteria or dispose of chemical by-products, or to make fabrics shed water. Very hot plasma is the driving force that keeps us alive with sunlight, whilst also entertaining us during storms (lightning) and at night near the Polar regions (aurora). Plasmas are essential for producing microchips and solar cells, but on a much larger scale could provide an artificial sun on Earth that would provide fusion power for all of our energy needs.

Prof Ian Galbraith "Astrophysics" for S3-S6, Y10-Y13
Astronomers have a real problem - they want to measure things they often can't reach or touch . With these measurements they try to understand what’s out there and how the Cosmos evolved. Stars, galaxies and Black holes all tell different parts of the story and in this talk we look at some of the questions thinking about the Universe raises and some of the answers Astrophysics has provided.

Dr Bill MacPherson or Prof Duncan Hand "Sensing with Light" for S4-S6, Y11-Y13
The wavelength of light is small. Really small. Because of this it makes a great ruler! Optical systems can be used to make precise measurement of physical quantities such as length, temperature and pressure. Shape and chemical composition can also be determined. Here we look at how optical fibres can be used to make measurements for medicine, aircraft, cars, animal flight, and even explosions!

Dr Bill MacPherson or Prof Derryck Reid "Light Detection" for S3-S6, Y10-Y13
Cameras are everywhere - CCTV, phones, computers - but cameras play an increasing role in science and engineering. High speed cameras allow rapid events to be viewed and studied on a microsecond timescale. Cameras can extend our vision into other wavelengths allowing us to 'see' heat, identify objects, and help medical diagnostics. Sensitive cameras let us see faint objects such as distant galaxies. Other types of imaging techniques can even let us see through objects that are otherwise opaque!

Dr Brian Gerardot. "Changing the light-bulb" for S3-S6, Y10-Y13
The common light bulb, around for over 100 years, is being replaced by a more compact, brighter, and more efficient technology: the LED (light emitting diode). The LED is also used in many applications such as flat screen televisions, traffic signals, the Nintendo Wii, and water sterilization. This technology is driven by new materials and devices in the field of optoelectronics. We will explore how these materials are fabricated, how the devices work, and what challenges remain. Related applications such as lasers and “single-photon” LEDs will be discussed.