Dancing to the Tune of Physics Ayala Ochert Reports on an Exuberant Celebration of Einstein’S Theories Through Dance

The newspaper of the physics community July 2005

Dancing to the tune of physics Ayala Ochert reports on an exuberant celebration of Einstein’s theories through dance. The première of Rambert Dance Com- pany’s Constant Speed on 24 May at Sadler’s Wells was hailed a success by www.einsteinyear.org Albert Einstein™ HUJ, www.albert-einstein.net critics and scientists alike. The dance, CONTENTS commissioned by the Institute of Physics, was a colourful and exuberant 2 News celebration of the centenary of Ein- Atomic time turns 50 stein’s groundbreaking 1905 works. ● Ghost hunting in Scotland This unusual collaboration between ● Girls in physics physics and dance was the brainchild of Jerry Cowhig, the managing direc- 4 Reflections tor of Institute of Physics Publishing, Carbon trading explained who came up with the idea almost ● The benefits of mentoring three years ago. “At Institute of Physics Publishing 5 People we’ve a strong tradition of supporting Sandra Chapman paints the the arts. We were looking for a way to landscapes of the mind make a contribution to Einstein Year, and I thought that dance would be ideal because it’s abstract and expres- sive, it can convey ideas and themes, and it would get audiences. It would also be something different,” he says. When he first came up with the idea, Cowhig didn’t dream that it 6 Letters would be picked up by Rambert, the Interactions reader survey ● country’s oldest dance company and Tristram Kenton Physics and the military one of the most respected – nor that Two of the energetic “pollen grains” in Rambert Dance Company’s interpretation of Brownian motion. the company’s new artistic director, 7 Event horizon Mark Baldwin, would choose to CONSTANT SPEED McNern’s stage lighting. The idea that while the Observer said that “Baldwin What’s on in physics choreograph the dance himself. blue photons have more energy than succeeded in making everyone mar- Early on, Baldwin was briefed on AUTUMN 2005 red ones is conveyed by the powerful vel at the wit and beauty of Einstein’s 8 Antimatters Einstein’s ideas by lighting designer ● The Lowry, Salford entrance of a female dancer dressed in theories”. What the Bleep Do They Samantha McNern, who has a back- 21–24 September blue. Against a black backdrop the Scientists were also impressed with Know!? ground in physics (InteractionsJune p5). ● Wycombe Swan, High entire stage is bathed first in red light, the final product. “In a word, the per- Later on the Institute introduced him Wycombe then in blue light. In the finale, a large formance was stunning. The idea of to Ray Rivers, professor of theoretical 28 September – 1 October mirror ball appears on stage, scatter- using colour to illustrate the energy of physics at Imperial College, London. ● Bristol Hippodrome ing light across the theatre in discrete photons was inspired,” said Sir John With his help, Baldwin got to grips 5–8 October packets to represent photons. At the Enderby, president of the Institute. with Einstein’s three seminal works on ● Norwich Theatre Royal very end, all 19 dancers (almost the Cowhig said he was thrilled with the Brownian motion, the photoelectric 12–14 October entire Rambert troupe) appear on performance: “I loved the movement, effect and special relativity. ● Milton Keynes Theatre stage in a full spectrum of colours. the colour, the use of music – the “Prior to starting this project my 2–5 November Einstein’s most famous theory, spe- whole experience. I am astonished “The culture in knowledge of physics was basic. As ● Sadler’s Wells, London cial relativity, was harder to convey that the project went so well from well as enlightening me about ideas I 15–19 November through dance, although the title of start to finish, and the ultimate physics is definitely never knew existed, it has given me a ● Edinburgh Festival Theatre the piece refers clearly to it. Baldwin accomplishment was so much more new awareness of how far physics 23–25 November tried to capture the idea of time mov- than I could have dared hope.” a macho one.” reaches into our daily lives,” says ● Theatre Royal, Plymouth ing at different rates for different Constant Speed goes on tour around Sandra Chapman, p5 Baldwin. “During this process I also 30 November – 3 December observers, with groups of dancers the UK from September and in spring discovered just how compatible dance moving quicker or slower across the 2006. Wherever it goes, Rambert will and physics are. Both have the ability SPRING 2006 stage simultaneously. also be running workshops for sec- “I have to admit I to fire the imagination and question Dates to be confirmed The costumes, created by the acc- ondary-school students, who are the enjoyed the film. In the world around us.” ● His Majesty’s Theatre, laimed set designer Michael Howells, main target audience for Einstein Year. Of the three works, Brownian Aberdeen were meant to evoke the late 19th cen- The company has a well established fact I found it rather motion lent itself most easily to ● Theatre Royal, Newcastle tury, when Einstein was formulating education programme that aims to expression through dance. In the final ● Hall for Cornwall, Truro his ideas. The music, by composer enthuse young people about modern funny. ” performance the dancers move about ● The Marlowe Theatre, Franz Lehar, was also chosen from the dance. With Constant Speedit is joining Jim Al-Khalili, p8 the stage like pollen grains on the sur- Canterbury period and provides an energetic and, forces with the Institute to help them face of a pond “as if jostled by unseen ● Clwyd Theatr, Cymru Mold at times, comic setting for the dance. to appreciate the physics behind the forces”. But everyone involved with ● Theatre Royal, Brighton At the première the audience laughed dance, too. Constant Speed is clear that it is not a ● Birmingham Hippodrome out loud at some of the circus-like “This unique collaboration is bring- CHARTERED literal representation of Einstein’s antics of the dancers. ing ideas from physics to people STATUS KEEPS physics. “You’re not getting a physics The new dance performance was whom we might not normally reach. lesson,” says Cowhig. received enthusiastically by the arts We hope that it will inspire at least YOU AHEAD The photoelectric effect is repre- community. The Sunday Telegraph some to wonder about how the world careers.iop.org/ sented in Constant Speed by the colours called it a “hugely imaginative com- works,” says Cowhig. chartered of the dancers’ costumes and through mission from the Institute of Physics”, www.rambert.org.uk

Interactions July 2005 2 news HIGHLIGHTS Time Lords open up their doors Holograms detect digital fraud Is that photo in the headlines real or has it been doctored just to sell Physics student Alice Perrett has won had to complete the sentence: “If I whether it is arrow-shaped or not.” The more newspapers? With the advent of digital imaging technology, the opportunity to undertake work could freeze time for 10 minutes, I judges liked the way her answer played that’s a question that’s increasingly being asked. Now, physicists at experience with a Time Lord in a would...” To encourage imaginative on the “arrow of time” metaphor, first competition that will mark the 50th entries to last month’s competition, coined by the ancient Greeks, but also the University of Roma Tre say they have a way of answering it. anniversary of the invention of the television presenter Adam Hart-Davis contained a serious question about Writing in the Journal of Optics A, which is published by the Institute atomic clock. was asked to describe his ideal time- whether time has a direction. The run- of Physics, Giuseppe Spagnolo and his colleagues describe a digital The Einstein Year competition was freezing scenario. He said: “I would ner-up prize of a binary watch went to “watermark” that shows whether – and how – a photograph has organised by the Institute and the arrange to be in the most beautiful Lynda Nwicke, who said she would go been tampered with. The watermark is a computer-generated National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in place I could imagine – perhaps a cor- diving with endangered species on the hologram that is embedded in the photo, but which is invisible to Teddington, where Perrett will spend ner of Sri Lanka, or Kashmir, or the Big Great Barrier Reef. the human eye, appearing simply as random “noise” in the image. the summer with the scientists respon- Island of Hawaii. I would round up a NPL developed the first accurate sible for maintaining the UK’s atomic beautiful bunch of people and eat a caesium atomic clock in 1955, which Any changes to the photograph damage the watermark, proving that timescale and contributing data to sup- delicious meal, then throw the switch.” led to the internationally agreed defi- the photo has been modified. port international time standards. Perrett wrote: “If I could freeze time, nition of the second being based on “We hope that this technique can be used to improve the reliability To compete for the prize, entrants I would confirm once and for all atomic time. of photographs in the media,” says Lorenzo Cozella, co-author of the EMPICS paper. “Digital cameras could be developed so that an invisible GHOST HUNTING watermark is added when a picture is taken. A newspaper buying a photo from a freelancer could then check for a watermark to confirm that it hasn’t been tampered with to make it more newsworthy.” The system could also protect images used as evidence in court. Sheffield students discover art of physics On 18 May the physics department of the University of Sheffield opened its doors to the public for an exhibition of works by local artist Chris Crossley, who has been inspired by physics and astronomy and particularly by Einstein. The event, which was part of Einstein Year, included a series of short talks for the adults and hands-on “physics in a box” demonstrations for the 50 schoolchildren who attended. Tim Searle, a physicist at Sheffield, said: “It was a great opportunity to introduce some of Einstein’s ideas to young people and to show them that science and art needn’t be kept apart.” The event, which was co-sponsored by the Institute, will be repeated across the region. Seeing with neutrons The power of neutron-beam scattering to explore the structure of all kinds of materials is the subject of the latest paper in the Institute’s “Visions” series. There are now 15 Visions papers, on subjects ranging from quantum information and superconductivity to flat- screen displays and physics in finance. The series is aimed at raising awareness among opinion formers and policymakers about dynamic areas of research in physics and their theoretical and technological implications. “Seeing with neutrons” explains the Psychologist Richard Wiseman at one of the allegedly haunted locations in Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh, where basics of neutron scattering and describes the current facilities in he has been conducting a scientific investigation into ghostly apparitions. Wiseman suspected that people who the UK and Europe for producing them. It also highlights the need report ghostly sensations have been affected by infrasound, magnetic fields and changes in humidity and for a more powerful facility to be built in the coming decades. lighting, as well as their own expectations. This was partly borne out by the results of the experiment – an http://policy.iop.org/v_production Einstein Year activity conducted during the Mary King’s Close Ghost Fest in May. Around 70% of those visiting the “haunted” locations reported unusual phenomena, compared with 48% in control locations. However, 70% of those with high expectations of experiencing such phenomena did so, compared with 50% of those with low Galactic Gig tours the north expectations. Environmental factors also played a part. Full results are at www.ghostexperiment.co.uk. In June the Lancashire & Cumbria Branch of the Institute toured the region with their Galactic Gig – a musical for primary schoolchildren Appropriately enough for a compe- This is exactly the kind of talent that that aims to teach them about physics. Written and performed by Patent physicist is tition taking place in Einstein Year, works on TV.” members of the branch, the musical stars an extraterrestrial called Zubi Lewney works in the UK Patent Office. As with Pop Idol, the audience helped who arrives on Earth from the planet Zuben-el-Genubi. His world has no a science star His PhD from the University of Car- to choose the winner by eliminating air, so Zubi is unable to hear sounds, but he meets two Earth girls who by Ayala Ochert diff was on the acoustics of the guitar, two out of the last six finalists. The Mark Lewney, a physicist from Car- and he used this as the basis of his runners-up, chosen by the judges, were teach him about it as the three travel around the solar system. diff, is the winner of FameLab – the audition – a demonstration of the David Booth, an evolutionary biolo- Albert Einstein narrates the show, which is science world’s answer to Pop Idol. physics of music, including sections gist, and Matt Wilkinson, a zoologist. followed by physics demonstrations and Lewney beat 11 other finalists in the from Vivaldi and Deep Purple played Physicist Kathy Sykes, director of the experiments. “The children were enthralled, competition, which was launched to on his electric guitar. Cheltenham Festival of Science and a both with the drama and the hands-on find the next generation of science Writer Simon Singh, one of the well known TV science presenter, said: experience,” said Chris Bowdery, chair of the communicators, on 11 June at the judges, called his performance “gob- “I have been overwhelmed by the level branch. “The hope is to create a spark of Cheltenham Festival of Science. smackingly amazing”. Hamish Mykura of interest in FameLab. Hundreds of Altogether 334 contestants across of Channel 4, also on the judging panel, people entered, revealing a thriving interest in science, and particularly physics, the UK vied for the title and the prize of said: “The reaction of the audience in community of talented scientists in the at an early age.” £2000 as well as the chance to appear the final spoke volumes. They loved UK committed to communicating.” as a science presenter on Channel 4. Mark – he left the opposition behind. www.famelab.org

Interactions July 2005 news 3

IN BRIEF Making physics appeal to girls A scheme to encourage UK universities to demonstrate their commitment to advancing the careers of women in Ayala Ochert looks at research that examines the factors that attract girls into the subject. science and increasing the number of women in top posts was launched in June. Universities that sign up to the Two forthcoming reports commis- Athena SWAN Charter – an initiative of sioned by the Institute are tackling the Athena Project at the Royal Society – head on the question of why so few pledge themselves to take action to girls continue with physics after age address gender inequalities in science at 16. Together they will form an a departmental and an institutional level, authoritative set of recommendations and to monitor and report on their for how best to encourage girls to stick progress in doing so. Signatories to the with the subject. charter can go on to apply for bronze, The first report is a comprehensive silver or gold SWAN awards, which review of the last 30 years of research recognise different levels of progress in into girls and physics. Written by Patri- meeting their pledges. The charter won cia Murphy and Elizabeth Whitelegg of the Institute of Physics prize in the 2003 the Open University, it looks at stud- Royal Society Athena Awards and the ies done in the UK and abroad. The sec- Institute also hosted last month’s launch. ond report, entitled “Yes, she can!”, is a more qualitative survey of best practice in physics teaching and is drawn from NEWSMAKERS schools that have been particularly successful. It was written by former The 2005 Royal Society schools inspector Bob Ponchaud. Rosalind Franklin Award The reports agree that there is no has been given to single answer but that “girl-friendly” Christine Davies, teaching styles combined with a “can professor of physics at do” culture make a significant differ- the University of Glasgow. ence. “Schools that were successful She was the first woman in the UK to

were those that engendered self-belief Harrington Photography become a professor in theoretical particle rather than stereotypical views that The reports looked at single-sex groupings, which are used by some mixed schools, particularly for practical work. physics and the award was given for her imply that girls struggle with physics,” proposal to develop a public lecture to says Ponchaud. Students need to feel and boys, and have increased the pro- lack of awareness among teachers of spot, he says. Both studies recom- highlight the role of female scientists and confident that they can succeed in the portion of girls doing well. the gender issues in their classrooms. mend that teachers are trained to inspire a younger generation of women. subject, but this appears to be espe- The question of single-sex teaching Although teachers give significantly make them more aware of how they cially important for girls. Those who remains a thorny one. While Ponchaud more attention to boys than to girls, relate to each sex. Among 44 new fellows of carry on with physics after 16 gener- found that the best single-sex schools they are rarely aware of this. Teachers Over the summer the Institute will the Royal Society elected ally have higher grades than the boys are much more successful with girls also tend to have lower expectations compile a list of recommendations in May was Douglas Ross who do so. than mixed schools, the authors of the of girls than of boys. and a set of tools to send to teachers. (left), professor of physics Girls tend to find physics less rele- Open University study concluded that “What surprised me most was just “We know that girls can succeed at at the University of vant to their lives than boys do, and these differences are because more how ‘male’ the teaching is in physics,” physics. What we haven’t known is Southampton. Other this can lead to a decline in their inter- single-sex schools are selective. There says Ponchaud. He adds that the why so few choose to continue with physicists elected fellows were Robert est. Girls are also more interested in was some evidence that single-sex teacher’s style of questioning is the subject,” says Daniel Sanford- Evans, professor of physics at the the social applications of the subject groupings – for example for practical important. Girls tend to respond bet- Smith, the Institute’s education man- University of Bristol; Philip Russell, and respond well to approaches that work – can make a difference, but ter to discussions than to closed ques- ager. “These reports start to answer professor of physics at the University of set physics in its social context. These more research is needed in this area, tions requiring brief, factual answers. this question and suggest strategies Bath; Michael Morgan, professor of visual alternative approaches have led to say Murray and Whitelegg. They also appreciate being put in for teachers to make physics more psychophysics at the City University, improved performance for both girls Another common finding was a groups rather than being put on the appealing to girls.” London; and Paul Cokum of the National Research Council of Canada.

Women physicists Peter Knight, head of Institute sells off books division physics at Imperial College meet in Brazil London, received a By Julie Corbett By Heather Pinnell pany is strong and growing, and will around the world and do more work knighthood in the Queen’s Rio de Janeiro welcomed 145 female The publishing arm of the Institute of continue to serve them and to serve in the areas where we are strong,” Birthday Honours last (and a few male) physicists on 23 May Physics has sold its books division to physics,” said Cowhig. “This decision Cowhig added. month in recognition of his for the 2nd IUPAP International Con- the Taylor & Francis Group. Transfer reflects the refocusing of our energies Robert Kirby-Harris, chief execu- services to quantum optics. ference on Women in Physics. The of the list of 600 titles, including into the areas where we feel we are tive of the Institute, said: “The Insti- Other Institute members honoured were meeting followed the highly success- responsibility for their sales, market- best equipped to fulfil the mission of tute is dedicated to the advancement David Pettifor, director of the Materials ful 2002 conference in Paris, which ing and ordering, took place on 1 July. the Institute. and dissemination of knowledge and Modelling Laboratory at Oxford University, prompted the UK to tackle the issue in The sale is part of the strategy of Insti- “At the same time we feel that the education in pure and applied phy- and Adrian Mears, former technical and a more coordinated and determined tute of Physics Publishing to concen- kind of physics books we were previ- sics. Taylor & Francis has a distin- research director at QinetiQ, who both manner and to start dedicating signifi- trate on its core activities – journal ously publishing will flourish at their guished tradition of publishing received the CBE. Receiving the OBE were cant resources to it. and magazine publishing. new home in Taylor & Francis.” excellence in physics that dates back Gillian Gehring, professor of physics at the The Rio conference reviewed pro- Managing director Jerry Cowhig Book publishing has always been a to its founding in 1798. We believe University of Sheffield’s department of gress in the last three years and explained that there has been a trend relatively small part of the Institute of that it will take forward and develop physics and astronomy, and David Saxon, focused on a number of themes, away from book publishing by learned Physics Publishing’s activities, with this extensive list of titles for the ben- Kelvin Professor of Physics at the University including how to attract girls into societies. The British Medical Associ- approximately 50 book titles being efit of the physics community.” of Glasgow. physics and how to get more women ation and the Institution of Mechani- produced per year. Taylor & Francis will offer a 25% dis- into leadership positions in physics. cal Engineers, for example, have The company’s journal-publishing count on physics titles to Institute John Morton has been Aihua Xie of the American Physical recently sold their own book-publish- business, meanwhile, has roughly members who order via the Internet. appointed chief executive Society also gave an uplifting review ing divisions because it has become doubled in output in the last five All new titles will carry the Taylor & of the Engineering of progress in the US. The recommen- difficult for small publishers to offer years, and it has recently opened Francis imprint but returns will be han- Technology Board. He was dations will be presented to the Inter- the level of service that authors, dis- offices in Japan, Russia, China and dled by Institute of Physics Publishing previously strategy director national Union of Pure and Applied tributors and booksellers now expect. Germany. “We want to expand the until 31 October. Books currently in of the future systems Physics (IUPAP) general assembly in “I would like to assure the Institute’s range and quality of the journals that print will continue to be published technology division at QinetiQ. South Africa in October. members that their publishing com- we publish to expand our influence under the Institute’s imprint.

Interactions July 2005 4 reflections Carbon trading is just the first step

Like all good theories the theory of emissions trading is an avoids dangerous anthropogenic climate change. elegant one. Governments establish an overall limit of the So much for the theory. In practice there are two major flaws amount of a pollutant that can be emitted. Enterprises are then with this apparently elegant approach. First, it was extremely allocated permits to emit the pollutant up to that limit – the difficult to get agreement even to this relatively small reduction “cap” – and companies cannot emit the pollutant unless they in emissions. Nevertheless, there are still considerable doubts have a permit to do so. Those that reduce their pollution below about whether the industrialised countries will in fact meet their the amount that they have been allocated may sell the unused commitments. And there is no political appetite for starting portion of their permit – called a “credit” – to anyone who has negotiations on the next stage, which would put even stricter been unable to keep their pollution within the limits of their limits on emissions. Worse still, two major emitters – Australia Tom Burke own permit. In theory, this is a cheap and efficient way of and the US – have jumped ship and refused to ratify the protocol. reducing the pollution to the desired level. The second flaw is even more serious. We don’t have enough “Much has been Since 16 February 2005 this rather arcane mechanism for time for the protocol to work. The future of the climate is made of the pollution control has become the focus of growing debate. On determined by two ticking clocks. The first is the rate at which that date the Kyoto Protocol came into force, and at its heart is a carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere – currently supposed global “cap-and-trade system” for controlling the emissions of about 1.8 ppm per year. The second is the rate at which the ‘omission’ of the greenhouse gases – in particular, carbon dioxide. world is building conventional coal-fired power stations – A bargain was struck in which the richest countries would act currently about 5 GW a month. At this rate it will be just developing first by limiting their emissions – because they are largely 12 years before we reach a carbon dioxide concentration in the countries as a responsible for the carbon dioxide increases until now – and, atmosphere of 400 ppm. At this concentration a dangerous later, developing countries would join in. Much has been made increase in global temperature of 2 oC by 2100 will become very major flaw in the of the supposed “omission” of the developing countries as a likely. Kyoto Protocol.” major flaw in the Kyoto Protocol. Actually, all of the This makes it vital that the G8 leaders meeting in Gleneagles industrialised nations, including Australia and the US, agreed to this month add considerable political momentum to our this approach from the beginning. current response to climate change. Emissions trading may well To encourage everyone to join in, the initial cap was set within be a necessary measure for tackling climate change, but it is a relatively easy reach and countries agreed to proceed in a series long way from being sufficient. In particular, we must change of stages. This allows for the cap to be tightened as experience the technology trajectory of current planned investment in 1400 drives down the cost of compliance and as the science becomes new coal-fired power stations over the next 25 years. If these are more certain. To lower the cost of compliance and pave the way built with conventional technology there is no hope of the for future participation by the developing countries, three so- world maintaining a safe climate. If they are built using called flexibility mechanisms were agreed – emissions trading, advanced coal technologies, with carbon capture and storage, the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation. then we still have some prospect of stabilising carbon dioxide concentrations at safe levels. But it will require a willingness to Modest targets may not be met spend public money to change that trajectory. Under the protocol the industrialised countries as a whole have Some 600 of the planned power stations will be built in China. agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 5.2% below At Gleneagles the EU must give a clear signal that it is willing to 1990 levels by the end of 2012, with each country negotiating a work with China to deploy advanced coal technologies rapidly. specific target to achieve this overall goal. Those countries that Carbon trading will not be enough to avert dangerous climate have ratified the protocol are entitled to join the international change. We must also invest – and soon. emissions trading system to buy carbon credits to fill any anticipated shortfall in meeting their target. The theory is that Tom Burke is a visiting professor at Imperial College and University the overall reduction will then be increased step by step until College London and a co-founder of E3G, Third Generation greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced to a level that Environmentalism. focal point: mentoring How to find a more rewarding relationship The Institute currently has more members actively whose advice you trust and whom you seek out to materials to help those already aware of mentoring helping them to access support and guidance from involved in developing their careers than ever discuss new ideas could be considered a mentor. to form a partnership and ensure their meetings people who understand their background. before. To meet this increase in interest we have Mentees not only gain new knowledge but also learn are as productive as possible. We’ve produced a If you’re interested in your own professional been busy adding to our career-development new approaches to problem solving, while mentors “how to” guide to mentoring with templates to help development then you can learn more at our resources, starting with mentoring. develop their own communication skills and enlarge to record meetings. Copies are free to members annual conference, PD2005, which will be held The physics community seems to be firmly their network. (£10 to non-members) or can be downloaded at on 24–25 October 2005 in London. We’ll be divided into two groups – those who know about Many Institute members are already benefiting http://careers.iop.org/mentoring. discussing communication skills and how to avoid mentoring and are actively engaged, either as from mentoring – often as part of Institute- Apart from publishing the guides, we’re also stress – subjects that often come up in mentoring mentors or mentees, and those who are not yet accredited trainee schemes at their workplace. running training sessions for groups and branches meetings. For more details go to clear why they should get involved. James Phillips of Devonport Management is one to explain more about how members can benefit http://careers.iop.org/pd2005. For those who haven’t yet had the chance to find such member. “My mentor really supports my from mentoring. We’ll be in Bristol and Plymouth in out for themselves, mentoring is a relationship that career. He has often jogged me to identify training October and may be coming to a branch near you. Alex Byrne is the Institute’s benefits the mentor as much as the mentee. needs and areas for personal development,” says As awareness of mentoring grows among members, professional standards manager. Mentors help to develop the mentee’s skills by Phillips. “Most recently he helped me to think we hope to set up a database to match potential sharing their experience and knowledge with them about my next steps and as a result I feel much mentors with mentees. This should be of particular during one-to-one meetings. In fact, many people more focused about the future.” use to members in remoter areas or those working have mentors without even realising it. Anyone For now we’re concentrating on producing as the only physicist within their company, by

Interactions July 2005 people 5 profile: Sandra Chapman OBSERVATIONS Graeme Langlands describes his experience of working on Lab in a Lorry – a project that aims to Thinking in pictures inspire young people with hands- on science experiments. Ayala Ochert meets an astrophysicist realising her dreams in paint. For me it was Johnny Ball, Heinz Wolff and a science teacher called Taj Kowalczyc. These were the people who first fired in me that spark of interest in science. And that was why I wanted to get involved with Lab in a Lorry. In this world of MP3 players and mobile phones, young people think there’s nothing left to invent or discover. So we need to help the next generation of scientists to find that spark. The lorry is the brainchild of one of my colleagues at Schlumberger Cambridge Research. When I heard that they were looking for volunteers, I jumped at the chance. 6 April The training session at the Cavendish was unusual as we had film crew hanging around. We were put onto the experiments cold and left to work them out for ourselves, which is ideally how you’d like the kids to do it. We managed to get fractals using glycerol, a spiral rainbow and interesting birefringence patterns in Perspex. We didn’t get to see a wine glass break as there were software problems, but this reinforced the principle that experiments in science don’t always work. 18 April Sandra Chapman surrounded by some of the pictures that she has created to capture her vision of Antarctica. The dry run was at Netherhall School in Cambridge. When I turned the corner and saw a huge, brightly painted lorry for the first time, it From the age of eight Sandra Chap- idea – in physics and in art – is the to black holes and is currently working brought a big, stupid grin to my face. Inside was even more man knew that she wanted to be an same, she says. “You load into your on solar-wind turbulence. “These are impressive. astrophysicist. While she watched the head all of the ideas and information, very different systems but the same moon landing on television, then and then go off and do something else, and kind of ideas apply,” she explains. “Plas- I was assigned to the Reluctant Oil Well experiment, which there she decided on her future career. the idea just comes out of the blue. mas are messy and there’s a lot of dif- introduces the problem of getting crude oil out of the ground. The Deep down she wanted to be an astro- You don’t know where it comes from ferent physics going on, yet they show crude is represented by a lovely sticky mixture of glycerol and green naut but, realising even then that – it’s just there. With painting, you get some very generic behaviour. The the- poster paint. The kids use syringes to suck up the “green goo”’ — a “women didn’t really get to go”, she the same experience when you figure ory of complex systems is a very pow- good demonstration of how difficult it is to get viscous liquids moving. thought that it would be wonderful to out how to realise the thing on paper. erful set of ideas because in principle We then asked the kids the best way of emptying the “well”. be involved somehow in the whole For me it’s so fast, it feels as if it’s not it describes population dynamics, Suggestions ranged from sucking the goo out with a syringe (the same enterprise. my own idea.” flocking behaviour, how people vote.” way they pumped it in) to breaking open the container. Eventually It was a decision that served her Last year, Chapman got the oppor- Her thoughts about turbulence are well. At just 39, Chapman became a tunity to explore the connections reflected in the art she is currently pro- they worked out that they needed to pump air in to displace the goo, professor of physics at the University between science and art when she ducing. “My paintings now are a kind which is exactly how we do it in the field. They also found that if they of Warwick, where she also heads its spent several months in the Antarc- of controlled randomness.” pumped very fast they could create wonderful oak-leaf fractal shapes. Space and Astrophysics Group. She is tic as a Dream Time fellow for NESTA Her perspective as a scientist makes The experiment is a real favourite with the volunteers and the kids. It’s one of fewer than 30 women profes- (National Endowment for Science, her art very different from traditional fun, interesting and you get to make a mess. sors of physics in the country. Technology and the Arts). She was “sci-art”, which is usually produced by The kids were great – keen and curious. The teachers seemed When she first arrived at Imperial attracted to Antarctica because of its artists looking at science from the genuinely impressed with the whole set-up. Even the art teacher College, London as a physics under- remoteness and because it repre- outside in, says Chapman. “For me the graduate she hoped to become an sented the idea of exploration, the last beauty of maths is very visual, and I breezed in, looked round, said “marvellous” and breezed out again. astronomer, but along the way she fell frontier. “For me it’s the next best want people to see that physics is 18 May in love with electromagnetism. “I’m a thing to space,” says Chapman. beautiful. It’s a different way of shar- The lorries were parked outside the lovely old sandstone façades of spatial thinker; I think in pictures. And After all this time she still dreams of ing with people what physics is rather W1, in front of the Institute of Physics. In the morning would be the the particular kind of mathematics in going into space. “I’d probably try to than just standing up and giving a sci- electromagnetism – vector fields, vec- go as an artist now rather than a science talk. It’s another dimension that press launch of Lab in a Lorry; in the afternoon members attending tor operations – is very spatial, so it entist because my work is too theoret- people can experience.” the Annual Representative Meeting would get their first look at the suits my way of thinking,” she says. ical,” says Chapman. “Part of the Emphasising the beauty and creati- lorries. The kids — this time from a school in London — were great Chapman doesn’t just think in pic- reason I went to Antarctica as an artist vity in physics might have other bene- again, and the teachers couldn’t have been happier. There’s enough tures; in her spare time she also cre- was because I wouldn’t get to go as a fits – it might attract more women into to do in the lab to keep people entertained for at least an hour and a ates them. Alongside physics she has scientist. I’m a theoretician, so I’m the field, says Chapman, who thinks half. always practised art and over the years absolutely useless to them out there. that physics is often portrayed as very The afternoon was also fun and gave me the chance to explain the she has brought her two passions As an artist I’m useful.” “mechanistic”. Although she’s experi- experiments to a whole new audience. After the members left, I closer together. Nowadays she explic- Chapman is a plasma physicist enced success as a woman physicist, itly tries to capture how she visualises whose expertise is in complex systems. she is keen to improve the situation for spent the rest of the afternoon accosting members of the public with physics. “I used to paint landscapes. She’s studied everything from comets others and is on the committee of the John T Barnum calls of “Science! Roll up, roll up!”. Everyone who Now it’s very much landscapes of the Institute’s Women in Physics Group. came aboard seemed impressed and all left with a better opinion of mind,” she says. In 2002 she went to Paris for the first science. According to Chapman, art and sci- “I want people to IUPAP Women in Physics conference, I hope this wasn’t my last turn on the lorry. It would be great to ence are more similar than one might which she says was an eye-opening tour the country like Mick Jagger in a lab coat. Getting covered in think. “Both are in pursuit of some see that physics is experience. “It was all women physi- green goo – and enthusing the next generation of scientists while sort of absoluteness, and in their prac- cists and there was a different atmos- you’re at it – is a great way to spend an afternoon. tice I don’t think they are so different,” beautiful.” phere. The culture in physics is she says. “Physicists choose problems definitely a macho one, and debates To become a volunteer for Lab in a Lorry, visit www.labinalorry.org.uk. If you would according to taste as much as any- can be very confrontational. If there like to contribute to OBSERVATIONS, please send an e-mail with your idea to thing – we make an aesthetic choice.” were more women, I think it would be [email protected]. The process of coming up with an less adversarial.”

Interactions July 2005 6 letters

President Prof. Sir John E Enderby CBE FRS CPhys FInstP, Immediate Past President Prof. Sir David Wallace CBE FRS CPhys FInstP, Honorary Secretary Prof. John L Beeby , Honorary Treasurer Dr J A (Tony) Scott CPhys Hon.FInstP, Vice-president, Education Dr Elizabeth Swinbank CPhys FInstP, Vice-president, International Affairs Prof. Michael J Kelly FRS FREng CPhys FInstP, Vice-president, Industry and Business Dr Keith Winters CPhys FInstP, Vice- president, Membership and Qualifications Prof. Andrew Wallard CPhys FInstP, Vice-president, Science Prof. Carole Jordan FRS CPhys FInstP, Chief Executive Dr Robert Kirby-Harris CPhys FinstP, Director, Education and Science Prof. Peter Main CPhys FInstP, Director, International Dr Peter Melville CPhys FInstP, Director, Membership and Electronic Services Mr John Brindley, Director, Strategy, Communications and Business Dr Paul Danielsen FInstP, Group Finance Director Mr Sean Fox MInstP, Managing Director, Institute of Physics Publishing Mr Jerry Cowhig.

Editor Ayala Ochert, Assistant Editor Heather Pinnell, Art Director Andrew Giaquinto Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800 ; fax: +44 (0)20 7470 4991; e-mail: [email protected]; Web: http://members.iop.org

LETTER FROM Military right or wrong University Technology Centres INTERACTIONS READER SURVEY (UTCs) are used exclusively for ...the Einstein Year I have just read “The real cost of military research and are somehow military research” (May p4) and under the control or influence of the Your views on Interactions coordinator would like to commend you for Ministry of Defence. Rolls-Royce is a It’s exactly a year members of the community, I’ll try to refrain from including such an informative piece, major global power systems since the first including engineer-turned-physics making any relativity which raises issues that are not company operating in civil Interactions was teacher Terry Winterton and science jokes, but time really is normally discussed in mainstream aerospace, military aerospace, published. In that communicator Wendy Sadler. We flying by. We’re half-way publications. marine and energy. Only one-third time we’ve kept hope we’ve entertained a little, too, through Einstein Year As an undergraduate member of of its products and activities are you informed with our back-page section already, yet it seems like the Institute thinking about future focused on defence. about the many “Antimatters” and its reviews, puzzles only five minutes ago that I was standing careers, I am concerned at the There are now 25 UTCs activities of the and fun experiments for children. in the Science Museum feeling the breeze influence of military interests in worldwide, which service all aspects Institute of Physics – from the Some of you have written to let us of a BMX bike whizzing over my head and physics research. I would hope that of Rolls-Royce technology. Far from Paperclip Physics Competition to know what you think about what wondering what I’d let myself in for. scientists consider the full being dominated by military our survey of members’ salaries and we’re doing, but we’d like to hear January’s Einstein Flip set the tone for implications of their research and try research, the majority of their work including the groundbreaking from more of you. So keep sending Einstein Year, and activities over the past to ensure that it is destined to today is focused on environmental Physics 2005 conference in April. Of the letters, but please also take a six months have continued to feed into the improve the lives of all people. I protection through programmes course, this year there have also been moment to fill in our reader survey at interests of young people. There’s been think that there needs to be much aimed at CO2 reduction, reducing the many exciting events of Einstein http://surveys.iop.org/interactions. It the Move Over Einstein exhibition, which is more discussion on the purpose and NOx emissions and cutting aircraft Year to report on. will help us to know if we’re on the touring the UK; the Ghost Experiment, funding of physics research and a noise. Their success has been noted We’ve also tried to keep you up to right track and how we can improve investigating alleged hauntings in more stringent ethics policy. in the DTI Innovation Report and by date with issues that matter to the Interactions for all of our members. Edinburgh (p2); the Ipswich Town Sports Gareth Haslam the Lambert report on business and physics community, from nuclear There’s also the chance to win one of Day, where 400 kids explored the physics Durham university interaction. waste to nanotechnology. In each five 256 MB data sticks. We look of sport; the Universe poetry competition; Richard Parker issue we’ve also profiled interesting forward to hearing from you. and much more. As director of research and Derby Physicists across the country really have technology at Rolls-Royce plc, I must risen to the challenge laid down by Sir correct some damaging inaccuracies We’d like to hear from you. Please send your IS ON HOLIDAY IN John Enderby in Interactions last in Stuart Parkinson’s article. He letters to [email protected] or the address September to get involved and organise insinuates that the Rolls-Royce above. Letters may be edited for length. AUGUST BUT BACK IN SEPTEMBER their own activities. In the first quarter of 2005 more than 60 000 people took part in more than 350 Einstein Year activities. These figures include many of the local notices activities funded through the Einstein Year grant scheme – which has supported 48 NEW MEMBERS Vadhia, Malini Vieyra, Karl Virden, Darren Bordeaux 1 for his contributions to nuclear and academics working in biotechnology. It superb projects – or via the Institute’s Mercedes Alcon-Camas, Thomas Babbedge, Wallace, Neil Warfield, Grant Watson, physics. aims to forge new collaborations and to branches, delivered by physicists like you. Christopher Bates, Ian Blenkinsop, Mark Stephen Weatherley, Jonathan Whybrow, ●Sir John Meurig Thomas has been promote the commercialisation of leading- The Merseyside Branch has been helping Bowden, Iain Brown, Paul Burnham, Matt David Wilkinson, Richard Willis, Tomasz awarded the Sir George Stokes Medal of the edge research. It will also disseminate local students to search for asteroids; Chessher, Rory Clarke, Gianfranco Claudio, Zarebski, Shanju Zhang, Qiang Zhao. Royal Society of Chemistry for his pioneering information about workshops, conferences Averil Macdonald in Wokingham used Paul Cooper, Robin Dickson, Stuart Finan, electron-based nanochemical analyses. and events, funding, awards and puppets to explain relativity to children as David Gillingham, Haley Gomez, Mark IN MEMORIAM government initiatives, and discuss issues young as six; and Allen Rowe of SETPoint Hadley, Robyn Halford, David Hall, James John Carver, Peter Davies, Andrzej MEMBER SERVICES related to biotechnology businesses. To Cambridgeshire got young people across Harries, Tim Hely, Buddhika Hewakandamby, Jonscher, Robert Kell, John Lowry, Richard ● Wireless access join, e-mail: [email protected]. the county building radios. Anne Hoath, Lara Howlett, Andrew Jaffe, Dewi Sillitto, Humphry Smith, Eric Thornton. The John Barton Centre at 76 Portland Einstein Year is going well, but it could Johns, David Jones, Lin Ke, Robert Lamb, Place now offers a wireless network for MEMBER OFFER be even better – it’s not too late to get James Libby, John MacPhail, James McIntyre, MEMBER NEWS members’ use, in addition to its three wired ● Online subscriptions prize draw involved and share your passion for Cristinel Mares, Koshy Matthews, Peter ● Eddie O’Brien became president of the PCs and two laptop connections. Marcus Benna of Germany is May’s prize- physics with your local community. The Moran, Lynn Mulelly, Patricia Nunn, Habib US Society for Experimental Mechanics in ● Biotechnology Forum draw winner. He receives a 512 MB data website www.einsteinyear.org contains Pathan, Carlos Perez Aparicio, Aleksandr June. The Biotechnology Forum, launched by the stick. For your chance to win a data stick, ideas and resources to spark your Ryasnyansky, Mohammed Sanduk, Pradeep ● Bill Gelletly, professor of physics at the Institute in April, is an e-mail based pay your membership subscription online at imagination. The Physics To Go pack Sharma, Michael Skegg, Andrew Stewart, University of Surrey, has been awarded an information exchange and discussion forum http://members.iop.org when you receive gives you all of the information you need Martin Symons, Andrew Turner, Jitesh honorary doctorate from the University of for representatives of industrial companies your subscription notice. to run an event at a supermarket, pub, summer fête or motorway service station. And once you’ve got your activity arranged, don’t forget to enter the details on the website’s events database. At midnight on 31 December 2005, Einstein Year will be over but the challenge of inspiring young people about physics won’t come to an end. Ultimately we can only judge Einstein Year a success if there is a sustainable increase in engagement between physicists and the public. So now’s the time to start thinking about how you can make a difference in Lab in a Lorry is a mobile lab that gives young people the chance to To find out if Lab in a Lorry the perception of physics – not just this year, but for the future. explore science through hands-on experiments. The lorries are is visiting your area, or to completely self-contained – they roll up and are ready to go. Year round request a lorry visit, check Caitlin Watson is the programme the labs will tour the UK and Ireland, visiting schools, festivals and our online lorry locator at manager for Einstein Year supermarket car parks – anywhere we are likely to find young people. www.labinalorry.org.uk www.einsteinyear.org.

Interactions July 2005 event horizon 7 Visit whatson.iop.org for the Institute’s full online calendar for the physics community or www.einsteinyear.org for Einstein Year public outreach events (indicated in blue).

JULY 05 ● Astronomical Inspiration CONFERENCE International Conference on Euro Summer School on Exotic SEPTEMBER 05 Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge Muon Spin Rotation, Relaxation Beams ● Cosmos and Creation University, UK Sensors & their Applications and Resonance GSI-Darmstadt, Mainz, Germany ● Practically Astronomical! Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, 8 July XIII ISIS and Oxford University Muon 25 August – 2 September Scottish Mining Museum, UK [email protected] University of Greenwich at Groups, Oxford, UK www.linux.gsi.de/ scheid/ Edinburgh, UK Medway, UK ~ 1–31 July 6–8 September 8–12 August eurohome.html 1 September www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk IVNC 2005: 18th International Join academic researchers and http://musr05.physics.ox.ac.uk Dan Hillier 0131 668 8406 Vacuum Nanoelectronics industrial engineers to review ● Voyage into Space ● Science Meets Music Conference new developments in sensor ● ‘Make It’ Aeroplanes University of York, UK ● Fun Physics Roadshow! University of Edinburgh, UK CCLRC, Oxford, UK technology. The programme and INTECH, Winchester, UK 27 August University of Manchester, 1 July – 1 November 10–14 July online registration are now 8–12 August David Jenkins 01904 432 248 Manchester Museum, UK available at Murray Campbell 0131 650 5262 www.ivnc2005.org http://conferences. www.intech-uk.com 1 September – 30 December iop.org/sensors ● The Greek, the Apple and the Barbara Grundy 0161 275 4926 Ultrasound and Other Minimally ● Inside Out: the Physics of International Conference on Time Machine Invasive Therapies Medical Imaging Workshop on Metamaterials for Science and Technology for Unaccustomed as I am...Ltd, The CONFERENCE Mayneord-Phillips Trust, Oxford, UK Various venues in Glasgow and Microwave and Optical Sustainable Development Beehive Inn, Edinburgh PD 2005 3–8 July Edinburgh, UK Technologies St Berchmans College, Kerala, 27 August 76 Portland Place,London, UK http://mpss.iop.org/trust.html 10 July – 10 December University of the Basque Country/ India www.brucefummey.demon.co.uk 24–25 October Andrew Reilly 0131 537 1161 Donostia International Physics 10–13 August Annual two-day career- Decommissioning and Center, San Sebastián, Spain www.conferencesbc.org World Biophysics Congress 2005 development conference for all Radioactive Waste Management Wind Power Summer School 18–20 July IUPAB/EBSA, Montpellier, France career-minded members. Mix with physicists and engineers IBC Global Conferences, CREST, Loughborough, UK http://dipc.ehu.es/meta2005 NEXT-SigmaPhi: News, 27 August – 1 September and enjoy expert training. Cambridge, UK 11–13 July Expectations and Trends in http://worldbiophysics2005. Registration from £105, 4–8 July www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/ SUSY 2005 Statistical Physics sfbiophys.org including conference dinner. www.nuclearevents.com research/crest/education- IPPP, University of Durham, UK Politecnico di Torino, Kolymbari, http://careers.iop.org/pd2005 shortcourses.html 18–23 July Greece ● Storm the Fort! Commercialising Nanotechnology http://SUSY-2005.dur.ac.uk 13–18 August The Royal Armouries, Fareham, UK IOP Industry & Business, 5th International Conference on www.polito.it/NEXT-SigmaPhi 28–29 August CFN Summer School 2005 on Edinburgh, UK Inverse Problems in Engineering: ● Albert’s Boy www.armouries.org.uk Nano-Electronics 5 July Theory and Practice Icarus Theatre Collective, ● Physics in Medicine Roadshow DFG-Center for Functional Nano- http://industry.iop.org/induni/ Engineering Conferences Finborough Theatre, London, UK University of Paisley, Hospitals in 6th International Conference on structures, Bad Herrenalb, nano/index.html International, Cambridge, UK 19 July – 31 August Renfrewshire, UK Nitride Semiconductors Germany 11–15 July www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk 15 August – 15 September University of Bremen, Germany 1–4 September CONFERENCE www.engconfintl.org/5ai.html Judith Steven-Setchell 0141 848 28 August – 2 September www.cfn.uni-karlsruhe.de/ ● ‘Make It’ Aeroplanes EMAG-NANO 2005 3630 www.icns6.org summerschool05 Imaging, Analysis and 13th General Meeting of the INTECH, Winchester, UK Fabrication on the Nanoscale European Physical Society: 25–29 July 12th Canadian Semiconductor Trends in Nanotechnology 2005 Diffractive Optics 2005 University of Leeds, UK Beyond Einstein – Physics for www.intech-uk.com Technology Conference Phantoms Foundation, Oviedo, Spain Institute of Applied Optics and 31 August – 2 September the 21st Century National Research Council Canada, 29 August – 2 September Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland Online registration now European Physical Society, Bern ● Summer Holiday Science Trails Ottawa, Canada www.tnt2005.org 3–7 September available at http://conferences.iop.org/EMNA University, Switzerland INTECH, Winchester, UK 16–19 August www.do2005.org 11–15 July 25 July – 26 August www.canadiansemiconductor.org 6th International Conference www.eps13.org www.intech-uk.com Renormalization Group 2005 Fundamental Problems of ● IOP Schools Lecture: Our ● Fun with Physics! From University of Helsinki, Finland Mesoscopic Physics: Planet, Our Future Let’s Get Physical ● World View Exhibition Einstein to Ice Cream 30 August – 3 September Entanglement and Coherence in INTECH, Winchester, UK Institute of Acoustics, Buxton, UK The National Trust, Woolsthorpe Open University, Milton Keynes http://theory.physics.helsinki.fi/ Nanoelectronics 5 July 13 July Manor, North Yorkshire, UK Main Shopping Centre, UK ~rg2005 ESF Research Conferences, www.intech-uk.com www.ioa.org.uk 26 July – 25 September 20–21 August Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy Susan Haimes 01476 860 338 Nigel Mason 01908 655 132 Faraday Discussion 131: 3–8 September MC7: Functional Materials for Symposium of Surface Physics Molecular Wires and Nanoscale www.esf.org/conferences/pc05188 the 21st Century Institute of Physics of the Czech ● Obscura Physics Poem Conductors Royal Society of Chemistry, Republic/Academy of Sciences of Clifton Observatory/Camera Royal Society of Chemistry, Neutrons in Biology Edinburgh, UK the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Obscura, Bristol, UK University of Manchester, UK Institut Laue Langevin, Grenoble, 5–8 July Republic 30 July – 6 August 31 August – 2 September France www.rsc.org/MC7 11–15 July Bec Gee 0117 378 9915 www.rsc.org/conferences 4–7 September www.fzu.cz/activities/conferences/ www.ill.fr/neutbio2005 ● Understanding Einstein ssp10 NanoteC’05: Nanotechnology in For full details of Einstein Year Museum of the History of Science, Carbon and Related Materials Mathematics for Biomedical events (indicated in blue) and to Oxford, UK Contact, Collaboration and Co- The British Carbon Group, University Engineering: Summer School AUGUST 05 find out what’s happening in your 6 July ordination of Brighton, UK University of Warwick, Coventry, UK area, visit www.einsteinyear.org/ www.mhs.ox.ac.uk IOP Consultancy Group, London, UK ● Crazy Golf 31 August – 3 September 4–9 September events. 13 July INTECH, Winchester, UK www.hpc.susx.ac.uk/nanotec www.warwick.ac.uk/go/ssimbe Recent Challenges in Novel http://conferences.iop.org/CCC 1–5 & 15–19 August Quantum Systems www.intech-uk.com University of Camerino, Le Marche, Wind Farm Connection Issues Italy CREST, Loughborough, UK ● Physics Under Your Feet! 6–8 July 14–15 July The Council for Scottish http://fisica.unicam.it/nqs2005 www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ Archaeology, Caithness and Upper el/research/crest/education- Clydesdale, UK 1st International Conference on shortcourses.html 1–30 August Diffusion in Solids and Liquids Thomas Knowles 0131 247 4119 University of Aveiro, Portugal ● Robotic Challenge 6–8 July Chelmsley Wood Library, Solihull, UK Theoretical and Experimental http://event.ua.pt/dsl2005 16 July & 6 August Magnetism Meeting Natalie Goulding 0121 788 4370 CLRC/IOP Magnetism Group, Theory and Experiment in Abingdon, UK Quantum Gravity ● Cambridge Hands-on Science 2–3 August IOP Mathematical and Theoretical Summer Tour [email protected] Physics Group and Gravitational Kent County Show, Kent, UK Physics Group, Durham, UK 16–31 July 37th Conference of the European 7–8 July Philip Tuddenham 07816 327 109 Group for Atomic Systems www.ippp.dur.ac.uk/QGrav EGAS, Dublin City University, ● Rocket Science Day Ireland Ultrasound and Microsystems: Millfield Arts Centre, London, UK 3–6 August Sensing, Streaming and 17 July www.egas37.org Resonator Design Emma Ghafur 07811 255 290 Ultrasonic Standing Wave Network, 63rd World Science Fiction Southampton, UK ● How Solar Electricity Works Convention 8 July St Helens Council, Cheshire, UK Worldcon, Glasgow, UK www.ucl.ac.uk/medicine/ 17 July & 29–31 July 4–8 August hepatology-rf/research/usw-net Bryan Lipscombe 01244 381 580 www.interaction.worldcon.org.uk

Interactions July 2005 8 matters What the Bleep do we do about this nonsense? Revolver Entertainment Jim Al-Khalili has a surprising take on a documentary about quantum physics that’s got the scientific community talking.

Anyone who has seen the film What the Bleep Do We was dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. But Know!? will have an opinion on it and, if you’re a physi- despite all of this, I was accurately quoted in The Times as cist, I am guessing it won’t be a favourable one. So I sus- saying that I welcome the release of the film. Why? pect that many readers will not agree with what I’m Because it’s the first-ever example of quantum mechan- about to say here. ics for the masses and, while there was certainly a lot Let me begin by saying that I am unapologetic about of nonsense in the film, it gives us the hook to engage my views on the disturbing rise in belief in New Age with the public and correct some of these more out- mumbo-jumbo and such things as ESP, reiki, homeo- landish beliefs. pathy, crystals and the healing properties of copper Since then I have concluded that there are three camps bands. I do not buy the view that there is “no harm” in in the science community. The first is the ambivalent people resorting to reflexology, say, to get rid of their camp, which doesn’t care what muddled thinking and “negative energy” so long as they believe it helps. I am pseudoscientific notions plague the general population not prepared to sit idly by while such antiscientific – they are beyond help and it is futile trying to rescue thinking takes hold. them. (According to a recent survey, more than half of Fantastic being allowed access to some closely guarded scientific And so I come to What the Bleep Do We Know!? (By the the UK population believe that ESP is real.) The second secrets. For these people – and they are the main audi- way, the “bleep” in the title stands for “heck”, in case you camp feels that it is our responsibility as scientists to ideas from ence for such a film – it is counterproductive to tell were wondering.) This is now the third-highest grossing point out that this film is complete hogwash and rec- them not to watch it. We must instead tread carefully documentary film in history and was a huge hit in the ommend that it be boycotted by everyone. modern if we want them to listen. US and Canada last year. The week before its release in Then there is the third camp – me. I have to admit I Scientists have a responsibility to discuss publicly the UK, I was invited, along with several other physicists, enjoyed the film. In fact I found it rather funny, although physics are those scientific issues of importance to us all, especially to watch a preview of it at the Science Media Centre at it wasn’t meant to be. Despite the playful title, it takes mixed with where the public’s trust in scientists is vital, whether it the Royal Institution. The film is essentially about quan- itself very seriously, and I am sure that many watching it be climate change, genetically modified foods, nuclear tum mechanics (hurrah!) and explains some of the ideas are looking for answers to deep scientific, philosophical, crackpot New power or nanotechnology. We must try to engage in very well. But about halfway through it starts to stray even religious questions. It mixes fantastic ideas from meaningful dialogue with the public without coming over into pseudoscience, claiming that, since it has been modern physics with crackpot New Age notions, and to Age notions. across as dogmatic or close-minded. shown that the role of the observer is central in quantum the non-expert they sound equally plausible (or implau- So should we, as physicists, go to see this film? Heck, mechanics, then “clearly” the power of the conscious sible). In this sense the film is dangerous and has to be yes! The next time you are at a dinner party and the mind does indeed affect the nature of reality itself. It confronted. The question is how. On the one hand, there conversation turns to how scientists have proved that ends with the central character (there is a drama running is so much bad science “out there” already. Shouldn’t we with the power of conscious thought one can alter the through the film, interwoven with more traditional doc- be just as concerned with astrology pages or the endless molecular structure of water (yes, the film claims this) umentary-style interviews with both scientists and less adverts for psychics in tabloid newspapers? Does this you need to know what they are talking about. Know reputable characters) throwing away her medication film really make things any worse? thine enemy. because, through quantum mechanics, she can now My view is that, somehow or other, we need to engage heal herself with the power of her mind. Argh! with the public – not just those who attend our public Jim Al-Khalili is a theoretical nuclear physicist at the University Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, the other physicists at lectures, read popular science books or attend science of Surrey and author of the popular science book Quantum: a the screening all panned the film. And other scientists, festivals, but the much tougher cookies who distrust Guide for the Perplexed. The documentary What the Bleep Do including geneticist Steve Jones and psychiatrist Raj science, see scientists as arrogant and aloof, and who We Know!? is on general release in the UK. For dates and Persaud, wrote articles strongly arguing that the film think that with a film like What the Bleep!? they are finally venues visit www.thebleep.co.uk. particles Fallacious physics – a competition to find the best of the worst physics

Be rewarded for spotting bad physics. As part of our Einstein Year celebrations, Interactions is looking for the very best of the worst physics – in movies, on television, in books, on the radio, in adverts – or anywhere else you come across it. Just send in your examples to [email protected] with the subject line “Fallacious Physics”, along with details of where you saw it and what’s wrong with the physics. You could win some spending money at the Science Museum shop or some book tokens that you can use to read up on some real physics.

First prize: £50 gift voucher for the Science Museum shop. Two runners-up prizes: £25 gift voucher or book token. Closing date: 1 August 2005.

Interactions July 2005