Physics demonstration experiments with light
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines physics as “a science that deals with matter and energy and the way they act on each other in heat, light, electricity and sound.” Students and residents of Cache Valley saw physics in action Thursday night.
The Eccles Science Learning Center hosted the sixth-annual November Demo Show put on by the department of physics. The event explores different topics in physics. Thursday’s demonstration explored different kinds of light and the ways it can affect the human brain.
People of all ages were invited to participate throughout the evening. James Coburn, the demonstration specialist in the department of physics, said this event is one that is fun and he enjoys doing.
“It really is fun to get to do what I do,” Coburn said. “Tonight was all about showing that there is a side of physics outside the classroom that is fun and interesting.”
After the demonstration, students gave their feedback on how the night went. Alan Hodges, a sophomore majoring in biological engineering, said the event was fun but informative as well.
“It seemed like it was a little more child-oriented, but the instructor was very knowledgeable and made it a lot more interesting,” Hodges said.
While most of the audience thought the demonstration was good, Hannah Masko, a junior majoring in speech pathology, said it was missing something right at the end.
“The ending wasn’t as intense as I thought it would be,” Masko said. “I still thought the experiments were very good and it was very educational.”
Coburn performed several experiments throughout the night, including using a laser to try to pop a balloon and using different geometric shapes to bend different kinds of light. Coburn said he was inspired to do these experiments from Christmas lectures that have been done in England since 1825.
“A lot of the experiments that they do help me with my own demonstrations,” Coburn said. “It really makes it that much more interesting.”
Coburn also said not too many people know about the fun side of physics when they think about the math and equations.
“Both physics and engineering can be commonly perceived as hard,” Hodges said. “Since they’re related pretty close together, both majors can cross paths.”
The event was sponsored by the physics department and the Society of Physics Students, also known as Sigma Pi Sigma. The group also does outreach to recruit students both on and off campus. Coburn said the lecture is one way of doing that.
There are other events they host, including visits to local schools and observation nights at the observatory. Coburn said the observatory tends to have a good number of people.
“I am actually head of the observatory, so we try to put on observatory nights when the weather cooperates,” Coburn said. “They can be some of our more popular events on campus.”
“This was definitely an event that was worth go
ing to,” Hodges said.
–connor.comeau@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @Connor_Comeau