Come one, come all. See an electron gun demonstration, watch what happens when atmospheric pressure drops in a vacuum chamber and explore the solar system. These are just a few of the demonstrations of physics effects you’ll find at New Mexico State University’s “Physics Fun Day.” If you have a sweet tooth, try the ice cream made with the help of liquid nitrogen.
Organized by the NMSU Physics Graduate Student Organization (PGSO), “Physics Fun Day” is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 27 at Gardiner Hall at NMSU. It is free and open to the public, giving participants a way to actively explore the world of physics.
“The ‘Physics Fun Day,’ organized by our NMSU physics students, is a great event which brings our local communities of all ages and interests together with physics enthusiasts for hands-on experiments and demonstrations on the NMSU campus,” said Stefan Zollner, professor and head of the physics department. “Many young people are inspired to pursue science careers by such fairs. Our physics students learn from hosting this event by improving their organization, teamwork and leadership skills.”
"I am always inspired by the excitement of Physics Fun Day, the enthusiasm and ideas of the physics graduate students and the imaginative program they put together,” said Michael Engelhardt, physics professor and PGSO advisor. “Physics comes alive, from playful exploration of deep ideas about gravity, to the fascination of magnets and electrical charges."
The event will feature more than 20 interactive stations that demonstrate physics in action across five different subjects: electromagnetism, quantum and optics, sound and waves, general relativity and the chemistry of physics.
This year, PGSO is introducing three new demonstrations. An electron gun demonstration brings electric and magnetic fields into view. A vacuum chamber experiment uses a marshmallow to demonstrate what happens when atmospheric pressure is stripped away, puffing up the marshmallow to many times beyond its original size. An immersive virtual reality experience gives participants the chance to explore the solar system or walk through a space station to feel the magnitude of astronomical distances.
“The ‘Physics Fun Day’ is an awesome celebration of physics,” said Jyn Peyton, president of PGSO. “Every year, we work to show the best demonstrations of what can be learned in the field, to give all the potential future physics students a view of the science they could work with.”
In addition to the new demonstrations, “Physics Fun Day” will include favorites from previous years. The superconducting magnetic levitation demonstration is returning with even larger magnets, using liquid nitrogen to show how a superconductor can defy gravity, glide frictionlessly and levitate mid-air. Attendees also can enjoy ice cream made fresh from a custom cream base frozen in seconds with liquid nitrogen.
“From magnetic levitation to lasers and prisms, to pressure waves in flaming gas to paths of ionizing electrons, we do our best to not only present the field of physics but also our understanding of the field of physics, Peyton said. “Our understanding has been cultivated and grown at this department and this university. That is what we'll be celebrating.”
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University’s Physics Graduate Student Organization is hosting the annual “Physics Fun Day” event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 27 at Gardiner Hall at NMSU. The event includes interactive demonstrations in subjects across electromagnetism, quantum and optics, sound and waves, general relativity and the chemistry of physics. (Courtesy photo)
