ISSUE #7 Friday, July 27th 2018 N NIUS IPhO 2018 PT

Last Wednesday Less stress in the theoretical exam

A true astronaut Today’s speaker, Don Thomas

Portuguese Scientist Mário Silva, our physicist in Paris

Today’s visit The laid back area of Belém INTERNATIONAL PHYSICS OLYMPIAD

Previously on IPhO

Obagboye Lewis, leader (Nigeria) Chon Man Sou, leader (Macao) Franco Bocci, observer (Italy) YuQing Xie, student (USA)

The experimental exam was too I’m enjoying Portugal. I think I’m here to observe and help the In my opinion, the experimental long for the time frame and we the country is quite interesting leaders translating the exams. exam was very difficult. It was a are testing the student’s ability, and I like the beauty of it, espe- We had a hard night during lot to do in a very short amount not trying to race against time. cially those ancient buildings the translation of the experi- of time, so I didn’t get that If a task is long, it doesn’t really that we visited in Évora. I really mental proof, but I could sleep much done. Theoretical was show that you know the Physics, liked it. About my duty, this is last night so I feel better now. fine. I thought there was a lot of maybe you just ran out of time. my first time as a leader and the I’m looking forward to visit calculation and it was also pret- In terms of translation, we don’t workload is quite heavy. because it’s my first time ty long, but it was alright for me. translate, because our official here. I went downtown yester- I enjoyed theory the most, but language is English. But for our day, and it is very nice. that’s probably because I like colleagues it has been tougher. theory more.

2 INTERNATIONAL PHYSICS OLYMPIAD NONIUS DAILY MAGAZINE Friday, July 27th 2018

Jomana Alashwak, Václav Kubíček, student Muhamed Sokolović, Alessandro Seccarelli, student (Kuwait) (Czech Republic) student (Bosnia) student (Italy)

I think Lisbon is a lovely place. This week has been amazing. I am enjoying Lisbon. Up to Portugal, as it is a Latin country, I really like the country and It’s great to see a lot of cultures this point, I highlight the trip is quite similar to Italy, so we the people. The way people live together meeting each other. to the castle, in Óbidos, as one get along with the Portuguese is very nice. The best thing has It was the best thing about this of the best moments. About the guys. They’re funny. I can say been being surrounded by peo- week. But I think they shouldn’t exams, I think the experimental that I like Lisbon, specially the ple from different countries and have given us our mobile part was really difficult, but the center part, both the old and the different cultures. And I also phones back, because they just theoretical part was average. fancy part. Also, I appreciate the like the weather and the na- work as anti-social stuff. From The problems were interesting. castles a lot. ture. My country is very hot now on, I think it will be more and sunny. difficult to meet each other.

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Less stress at the Walking around Theoretical Discovering exam the Enigmas of Sintra

When time ran out, some smiled, others Sintra is as beautiful as it looks in the pic- laid their heads on the tables and a few tures. As the bus turned around the corner, stretched. It was, once again, a long exam. the misty mountains of Sintra could be seen. “I think that the problems were really long The leaders alighted at a specific base point and I didn’t like the fact that there wasn’t and then walked in groups – one group much Physics in it, but mostly Math, al- headed off to the see the interiors of the royal though I liked the model of the problems”, palace and the other group to the gardens. points out Ivo Petrov, Bulgarian student. Upon arriving, the leaders seemed to be Raditya Nugraha also, from Indonesia, quite mesmerised by the cool, green and agrees: “It was still, somehow, long”. welcoming air and walked in and out of the However, this exam was considered easier. long, winding lanes. Maps were handed to “The theoretical was much less stress- everyone and the leader guides filled in the ful”, tells Oyedeji Opeoluwa, who thought narration of the history. The wells in the that problem one was the most difficult. gardens are mystifying and seem to smile On Wednesday, over 400 participants went Furthermore, in general, the contestants with ancient secrets. It is said they initiate again to Casal Vistoso for the second part of were impressed by the questions. “I think the our spiritual oneness with our mind and soul. the exam. This time, the theory was tested. exam was really interesting and it covered It was with a little apprehension that every- The theoretical exam, contrary to the exper- many problems of Modern Physics”, men- one stepped inside the dark cave-like under- imental, started on time. At 8am the clock tions Tran Duc Huy, from Vietnam. ground wells which are interconnected with started ticking. While participants wait for their scores, each other and have various exits. It is very In general, the experimental exam didn’t they can finally enjoy Portugal without the interesting to see the statues at the base. The go well. For students and leaders, it was too stressful environment of the examinations. flower colours vary from pink to purple in the long for the five hours. “In the experimental, This started with an excursion to Oceanário pretty gardens. I didn’t manage to do much”, says Oyedeji de Lisboa and Pavilhão do Conhecimento by There are many interesting artefacts and Opeoluwa, Nigerian student. Because of the afternoon. rooms that are seen in the palace, most no- this, the pressure was high this time. table was the kitchen. After a long excursion, The logistics were much similar to the last some leaders had coffees, deserts and hot exam. Members of the organization, student chocolate and it was a pleasure to watch the guides and volunteer professors were always fog curl around the mountain tops while sip- paying attention in case a student needed ping warm beverages. Some leaders bought assistance. The flags were used again. But, some souvenirs as well. Sintra’s long wind- this time, there was less material on the ing roads are bedecked with sellers, selling tables. Just pencils, pens, papers and, of their attractive wares. At 5pm, the leaders course, calculators. arrived at the city hall and interacted with the During the exam, the contestants were Mayor after which they boarded the buses to really concentrated, and many times looked leave Sintra. still at the papers, thinking. Nevertheless, it Later, the students and leaders all con- was the clock that really captured their at- verged to have dinner together at the Esc. tention by the end of the exam. They wanted Sec. Vasco da Gama, where the students had to make good use of every minute. In fact, a short game of basketball. It was a pleasant the participants didn’t stop writing until the surprise to see the fruits section arranged so very last second. beautifully – watermelons cut into shapely baskets holding other fruit inside, or cut in the shape of a jar overflowing with food. Even the desserts – strawberries and cakes were lined up very artistically. After their interac- tion, the students and leaders headed off to their respective hotels.

4 INTERNATIONAL PHYSICS OLYMPIAD NONIUS DAILY MAGAZINE Friday, July 27th 2018

Get to know IPhO major Today’s sponsors Visit Belém REN

Belém is a laid-back area on the Tagus River, REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais known for its seafood restaurants and hous- (National Energetic Network) is a company The MEDEA project is a good example es decorated with colourful tiles. Among the that is responsible for the distribution of how non-formal learning can play a role at area’s shaded green lawns are historic land- electric energy in Portugal. Since 2008 it has an age where competition-driven activities marks that recall Portugal’s seafaring past, been sponsoring outreach activities promot- encourage young minds to pursuit autono- like the 16th-century Tower of Belém and the ed by the Portuguese Physical Society (SPF) mous research and to conduct experimental sail-shaped Discoveries Monument. Near the aimed at secondary school students related activity using advanced equipment. vast Portuguese late Gothic/Manuelino style to the biological impact of electromagnetic Jerónimos Monastery, the widely popular fields. This partnership was extended to Pastéis de Belém patisserie is famed for its cover all the country, including schools at custard tarts. Madeira and Azores, reaching thousands of Indeed, Lisbon’s most monumental and students and their families. REN has also em- historical area is Belém. It was from here braced enthusiastically the project of hosting that many of the great Portuguese explorers IPhO 2018 in Portugal. embarked on their voyages of discovery: For the last 10 years, REN and SPF, through Prince Henry the Navigator and the first the MEDEA project, enroll high schools’ overseas expedition to conquer Ceuta in students to measure very low frequency Morocco, Bartholomeu Dias to round the (0 to 300 Hz) electric and magnetic fields Cape of Good Hope, the first voyages of that are produced by electrical equipment Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama to dis- and circuits. In particular, students are cover the sea route to India, and Christopher encouraged to take measurements of these Columbus stopped here on his way back to fields at school, in their home environment, Europe after discovering the New World. and in the vicinity of lines. During this time, Lisbon flourished with In addition, they are encouraged to seek riches pouring into Portugal and saw the scientifically credible information on the construction of great monuments like these. possible effects of these fields on human Today, these monuments and their sur- health. These students promote a scientific rounding museums are an essential stop for and enlightened opinion about this subject any visitor. that is further shared with other colleagues and teachers.

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Lisbon Curiosities A true astronaut Museum Don Thomas

The Tejo Electrical Power Station is a unique example of Portugal’s historical, industrial and architectural heritage. It is lo- cated in Belém, not far from the Jerónimos Monastery. The plant was built in the early 20th century, starting in 1908 and finally reaching completion in the 1950s. During its life, the thermoelectric power complex provided electricity for Lisbon lighting. It has been classified as a Building of Public Interest, and today it has been fully re- stored, including the impressive original power generators and ancillary equipment. Nowadays the Tejo Power Station evokes the functioning working environment of the old factory.­ Alongside with rooms displaying the old machinery, the visitors can engage in interactive cool experiments on elec- tricity. A selection of exhibits portrays the evolution of electricity use up to the age of renewable energies. It is one of the most frequently visited museums in the country, Dr. Thomas was born in Cleveland, Ohio the training of NASA astronauts for mis- with over 240 000 visitors yearly. and received his B.S. in physics from Case sions aboard the International Space Throughout the year, many scientific Western Reserve University. He then Station. From ­2003-2006 Dr. Thomas was and cultural activities are carried out at attended Cornell University where he re- the International Space Station Program the , that hosted for ceived his master and doctorate degrees in Scientist and was responsible for the selec- several years the final competition of the materials engineering. From 1982-1987 he tion and scheduling of experiments to be Portuguese Physics Olympiad. The young was a senior member of the technical staff at performed aboard the ISS. physicists to be could not wish a better place Bell Laboratories in Princeton, New Jersey, From 2007-2015 Dr. Thomas worked at for inspiration! where he was awarded two patents for Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland, inventions related to the packaging of semi- as the founding director of the Hackerman conductor devices He then joined the NASA Academy of Mathematics and Science, an Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas as outreach program that targeted elementary, a materials engineer for the space shuttle middle, and high school students to encour- program. In 1990 Dr. Thomas was selected age them to pursue careers in math, science, in NASA’s 13th group of astronauts and flew and engineering. as a mission specialist on four space shuttle Today he is an author and public speaker missions: STS-65, STS-70, ­STS-83, and and still actively engaged in inspiring our ­STS-94. During these four missions he per- next generation of engineers, scientists, formed hundreds of microgravity sciences and explorers. experiments and helped deploy a large com- munications satellite from the space shuttle. He has spent a total of 44 days in space and has completed 692 orbits of the Earth. From 1999-2000 Dr. Thomas was the NASA director of operations at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, where he coordinated

6 INTERNATIONAL PHYSICS OLYMPIAD NONIUS DAILY MAGAZINE Friday, July 27th 2018

Portuguese Scientist Don’t Miss it! Moon Mário ( ) Eclipse Silva 1901-1977

Carlos Fiolhais and Décio Martins

The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st The physicist Mário Silva left Coimbra in century takes place today Friday, July 27. 1925 to work at the Radio Institute of Paris 1 Totality will last approximately 103 minutes. and complete the PhD under the supervision In continental Portugal the moon will rise of Madame Curie. In Paris he studied with close to Mars in the Capricorn constellation, Langevin and de Broglie and met Einstein, already during totality. Bohr, Lorentz and Thomson. After complet- In Lisbon moonrise will be at 20:47, ing his PhD, became professor of the Faculty and the end of totality will be at 22:14. of Sciences of Coimbra. He wrote at that time several papers on nuclear physics and various textbooks. With a medical doctor, he created the Radio Institute of Coimbra, having invited Madame Curie to the inau- guration. Although the Institute was ready and his mentor accepted the invitation, the Institute never opened. In 1947, Silva was victim of compulsory retirement, together with other Portuguese professors, by order the prime-minister Salazar. Only shortly before the 1974 Revolution Silva was reha- bilitated. He helped to create the Museum of Physics of Coimbra, based on the estate of the former Cabinet of Physics, and he was the first director of the National Museum of Science and Technology.

1. Mário Silva at Old Cabinet of Physics of the University of Coimbra, European Physics Heritage

Portuguese Alheira is a type of Portuguese sausage, as poultry and game, mixed with bread for Food made with meats other than pork (usually texture. This recipe later spread amongst chicken, quail or rabbit) and bread. The Christians. Alheiras were traditionally Alheira name alheira derives from alho (garlic) grilled or roasted and served with boiled and was once used to describe any sausage vegetables. Nowadays they are often fried de Mirandela seasoned with it. The type of sausage that and served with chips and a fried egg. They became known as alheira was invented by are often one of the cheapest items in res- the Jewish community of Portugal, who, in taurant menus. Arguably, the best alheiras 1497, was given the choice of either being are made in the region of Mirandela, a city expelled from the country or converting to located in the northeastern part of the coun- Christianity. Those who converted (known try (most of the cristãos novos relocated to as cristãos novos — “new christians”) often eastern Portugal). secretly retained their beliefs, and thus avoided eating pork, forbidden in Judaism. This put them at risk of being noticed not to hang sausages, traditionally made of pork, in their smokehouses. As a way to avoid attracting the attention, they did make sausages, but with other meats, such

7 Friday Saturday NONIUS July 27th July 28th Daily magazine

18º C 17º C 25º C Today 26º C Tomorrow IPhO 2018 PT Friday, July 27th 2018

Students Students Coordination and Texts António Granado, Asira Lele, 07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast Dora Santos Silva, Fernando Nogueira, Hotel Hotel José António Paixão, Rita Antunes, 09:00 – 15:00 Excursion 09:00 – 13:00 Free time Rui Travasso, Susana Sobreiro Belém (Jerónimos church, 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Belém tower, MAAT, Hotel Photographers , 14:30 Bus departures José Gama, Paulo Carapito National Maritime Museum Hotel > Fundação Calouste and Gulbenkian Planetarium) Gulbenkian Design, Pagination, Composition 15:30 Departure to Estoril 15:30 – 18:30 Closing ceremony Eduardo Mota, Joana Monteiro by train Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian 17:00 – 18:30 Overcoming Obstacles and 18:45 Bus departures w ipho2018.pt Reaching for the Stars! Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian @ipho2018 by Don Thomas > Colégio Militar /ipho2018 Centro de Congressos 19:15 – 23:30 Farewell Dinner do Estoril Colégio Militar 20:30 – 21:30 Dinner 23:30 Bus departures Hotel Colégio Militar > Hotel

Leaders Leaders & Observers & Observers

07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast Hotel Hotel 09:00 – 09:30 Announcement of medal ranges 09:30 – 11:30 International Board Meeting 11:00 – 13:00 Moderation IST 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch IST Hotel 14:00 – 20:00 Moderation 14:30 Bus departures 20:30 – 22:00 Dinner Hotel > Fundação Calouste Hotel Gulbenkian 15:30 – 18:30 Closing ceremony Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian 18:45 Bus departures Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian > Colégio Militar 19:15 – 23:30 Farewell Dinner Colégio Militar 23:30 Bus departures Colégio Militar > Hotel