Physics News from the AIP No 2, Term 1 2005 s4

Physics News from the AIP Term 4, No 1, 2014

Table of Contents 1. Physics Focus Day, 14th November, University of Melbourne 2. Physics Events for Students: Entries due this week a) Photo and Video Contests b) Victorian Young Physicists' Tournament 3. Physics Consultation Update 4. Datamouse: Making a two photogates for a mouse 5. Forthcoming events for Students and the General Public * An evening public lecture in the 'Ripples from the dark side of the Universe' series has been added to the lecture program. See details under e) below. a) Women in Astronomy: 6:30pm, 7th October, Swinburne University b) There’s SCIENCE in your food!, 6pm, Weds 8th October, Australian Synchrotron c) In Class with Brian Cox, 11am - noon (ACST) Tuesday, 14th October - Livestream d) Ripples from the dark side of the Universe. Daytime Lectures for Students, Weds, 15th October to 17th October e) Ripples from the dark side of the Universe. 6:30pm, 17th October, Swinburne University 6. Forthcoming events for Teachers * a) Laby Sponsorship of Physics STAV workshops 2014 - Physics teachers year 5-10, 17th October, 4th November at STAV Office 7. Physics News from the Web a) Photons weave their way through a triple slit b) Synchrotron X-rays track fluids in the lungs c) Proton-beam therapy explained

* Events listed for the first time are in bold with details below. The details of the other events can be found on our website at www.vicphysics.org/forthcomingevents.html or in previous newsletters at www.vicphysics.org/aipnews.html

This newsletter is compiled by the Australian Institute of Physics (Victorian Branch) Education Committee.

The next meeting of the AIP Education Committee will be on Tuesday, 21st October at University High School. All teachers are welcome to attend this or any other meeting. You don't need to be a member of the AIP to get involved. If you would like to attend, please contact the chair, Sue Grant, at [email protected] .

1. Physics Focus Day, 14th November, University of Melbourne The program for this annual professional development program has been released. There are five talks during the day: a) The Big Picture in Astronomy with Prof Matthew Bailes from Swinburne University. b) Optics and how the Eye works with Amanda Douglass from the Dept of Optometry and Vision Sciences. c) What really causes tides with Dr Roger Rassool from University of Melbourne d) Applications of photonics in today's world with Dr Wayne Rowlands from Swinburne University e) The Sounds of Music with Dr Max Thompson from University of Melbourne

The event will be held in the Laby Theatre at the University of Melbourne. The program starts at 9:00am with registration from 8:15am. More details about the talks and the speakers as well as registration forms can found at http://outreach.physics.unimelb.edu.au/Teaching/Professional-Development as well as http://www.vicphysics.org/forthcomingevents.html The cost is $99 including lunch and notes.

2. Physics Events for Students: Entries due this week a) Photo and Video Contests Entries for these two contests are now due. Check websites for further details: http://www.vicphysics.org/photocontest.html and http://www.vicphysics.org/videocontest.html. The entries should be submitted to the AIP by email to [email protected] or by post to Australian Institute of Physics (Vic Branch) Education Committee, PO Box 3054, Richmond VIC 3121.

b) Victorian Young Physicists' Tournament Team lists are now due. The list should include: the names of the three students, whether the team is competing in the Year 10 or Year 11 competition and the teacher's name. The topic that each student will be reporting on and the topic they will be opposing on, are not needed at this stage.

Check http://www.vicphysics.org/vypt2014.html for other details.

3. Physics Consultation Update The Education Committee has submitted to VCAA its comments on the proposed study design along with the compiled comments from the consultation forums.

These can be accessed at our website at http://www.vicphysics.org/aipforums.html. The compiled comments have also been augmented by submissions that came to the committee from teachers.

4. Datamouse: Making two photogates from a mouse Two Italian physics teachers, Alessio Ganci and Salvatore Ganci, have developed a method of turning an old mouse into a time measuring device. Their method is described in http://iopscience.iop.org/0031- 9120/44/2/F02 , it was published in the UIP journal 'Physics Education' in 2009. The project simply involves replacing the two switches with photoresistors and using two laser pointers to give the two photogates. They also wrote a Visual Basic program to display the measurement. The above link gives you access to the pdf file, the supplementary data section gives you access to the zip file for the program.

This is a short Youtube video by the IOP, showing the finished product. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=8LB6nil8RfU

5. Forthcoming events for Students and General Public * a) Women in Astronomy: 6:30pm, 7th October, Swinburne University This free public astronomy lecture is on Tuesday, 7th October in TD121 at 6.30pm. The lecture theatre holds only 100. To Book: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Iu-U3CqPpWN8apjwyYQ-c1GHdtMY2HF7J6huHZ3ko8Q/viewform

Women in Astronomy Abstract: Scientific literacy is required if we want our global society to succeed, but for a variety of reasons, science isn’t a passion for most people, and most of the people in science are stereotypical white men. This is particularly true in the field of astronomy. In order to build a future that is more inclusive, we need to celebrate the successes of diverse researchers, and we need to use many different pathways to bring people to astronomy. In this talk, Dr. Pamela L. Gay will talk about the heroes of astronomy who inspired her, and how modern women in science are discovering our universe. She will also discuss how scientists and educators are working to inspire popular engagement in science through communications, citizen science, and helping people live more scientifically every day. Learn how inspiration can be used to potentially leverage the entire world to aid in science.

Presenter: Dr Pamela Gay, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois Date: Tuesday 7 October 2014 Venue: Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus, TD Building, TD121 (near Park Street) Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm Map: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/contacts-campuses/campuses/hawthorn/documents/hawthorn.pdf b) There’s SCIENCE in your food!, 6pm, Weds 8th October, Australian Synchrotron The Australian Synchrotron would like to advise you of the first in a series public access speaker events to be held at the National Centre for Synchrotron Science, on the site of the Australian Synchrotron. Wednesday 8 October 2014, 6pm – 7pm Tickets : Free, but registration essential.

Please note that this event is aimed at families with children at Secondary School level, and as such will involve an element of standing. Other events are planned which will target other age groups later in the year.

For information, or to book tickets, please visit http://bit.ly/ScienceInYourFood_SpeakersSeries c) In Class with Brian Cox, 11am - noon (ACST) Tuesday, 14th October Brian Cox will take time to answer students’ burning questions – about almost anything! Do you want to know more about the formation of our universe? How the human brain is linked to the cosmos? Or do you just want to know whether Brian still gets requests to play ‘Things Can Only Get Better‘?

This online Q&A session will bring Brian Cox directly into your classroom. Register now to secure your place for the Tuesday 14th October livestream at http://riaus.org.au/brian-cox/ d) Ripples from the dark side of the Universe. Daytime Lectures for Students The Australian Institute of Physics Distinguished Lecturer for 2014 is Professor Sheila Rowan from the University of Glasgow.

She will be speaking at several schools in Victoria in mid October as well as giving a Public Lecture at Swinburne University on the evening of Friday, 17th October. Her topic is: "The search for gravitational waves - Ripples from the dark side of the Universe"

She will speak at the schools below. If you wish to take your Year 11 physics students or even interested Year 10 students, please contact the teacher at the host school to confirm if space is available.

Date Time Venue Contact Email address Wednesday, 11:00am Churchill Campus, Jennifer [email protected] 15th October Federation Canovan Ph 5122 6544 University, Churchill Wednesday, 2:30pm Nossal High School, Tracey [email protected] 15th October Berwick Mackin

Thursday, 11:00am MacRobertson Girls' Diana [email protected] 16th October High School, Sandulache Kingsway Friday, 17th 9:15am Melbourne Girls' Chris [email protected] October College, Richmond Jurgens

Friday, 17th 2:00pm Camberwell Girls' Giselle [email protected] October Grammar School, Lobo Camberwell

The talks will go for about an hour.

Abstract: The information carried by these signals will give us new insight into the hearts of some of the most violent events in the Cosmos – from black holes to the beginning of the Universe. A global network of gravitational wave detectors is now reaching the final stages of construction, with first data expected in 2015. The nature of gravitational waves, how the detectors work and what the data from the detectors can tell us about the Universe we inhabit will be discussed.

Sheila Rowan is an experimental physicist, and since 2009, Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research in the School of Physics and Astronomy in the University of Glasgow in the UK. She has had extensive experience communicating her research to students and the public.

She was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2008 and was made an MBE for services to science in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2011 and has published more than 150 articles in refereed journals. e) Ripples from the dark side of the Universe. 6:30pm, 17th October, Swinburne University Prof Sheila Rowan will give a public lecture on the above topic. See 4c) above for the abstract and her bio.

Venue: Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus, ATC building, ATC101 Time: doors open - 6.30 - 7.30pm Map: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/contacts-campuses/campuses/hawthorn/documents/hawthorn.pdf Please click on the link below to register for this lecture. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VGMJ2I9MT4KxXOcmz8fmol5HertKDZBKql90BPAE12I/viewform

6. Forthcoming events for Teachers * a) Miegunyah Lecture - Climate Change: Are we up for the challenge?, 6pm, 13th October, University of Melbourne Speaker: Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, CBE, FRS Monday Date and time: 13th October, 6:00–7:30PM Venue: Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre (Bldg 158), Swanston Street, University of Melbourne To book: http://events.unimelb.edu.au/events/4525-miegunyah-lecture-climate-change-are-we-up-for-the? utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=subscription

Abstract: The climate system is very complex and shows huge variability. Understanding its past behaviour and predicting its future is a huge challenge to science. The current status of climate change science and the risks due to the impact of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted through our activities will be discussed. Looking beyond the here and now and responding to these risks is a challenge to our species. However the challenge to our social, economic and political ways of working and also to technological development could prove extremely valuable. This event is hosted by the School of Earth Science in the Faculty of Science, the EU Centre on Shared Complex Challenges, the Melbourne Energy Institute and the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute.

Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, CBE, FRS is recognised as one of the world's leading atmospheric scientists. Sir Brian became the first Director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London in January 2008, and now shares his time between Imperial and Reading University, where he is Professor of Meteorology. His research is in weather and climate, in particular the understanding of atmospheric motion from frontal to planetary scales. His international roles have included being President of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences and involvement in the 2007 IPCC international climate change assessment. He is currently a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change. He is a member of the science academies of the UK, USA, China and Europe and has received a number of awards including the top prizes of the UK and US Meteorological Societies. He was knighted in 2007 for his services to the environment. a) Laby Sponsorship of Physics STAV workshops 2014 - Physics teachers year 5-10, 17th October, 4th November at STAV Office The Laby Foundation is offering grants with the aim of building capacity in physics teaching across Victoria, specifically targeting (but not solely limited to) disadvantaged and rural schools.

The grants are available to help fund teachers to attend the Science Teachers Association of Victoria Physics workshops (STAV). More information about the workshops & how to register at: http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/PhysicsWorkshops.htm

The Foundation invites applications from interested schools/teachers. Funding up to $500 per school is available, depending on circumstances. Funds are to cover registration fee and CRT cost. The number of grants are limited and will be assessed in the order they are received.

Provide your case for sponsorship (a substantiated statement) based on the following selection priorities:

1. Geographical and/or socio-economic disadvantage 2. Access to high-quality professional learning in order to strengthen capacity in teaching physics 3. Low uptake of science subjects at VCE level, particularly physics, and/or low science profile in the school 4. Other disadvantages identified by applicant.

How to apply: Complete and submit the online application form found at: http://ecommerce.science.unimelb.edu.au/categories.asp?cID=15 (click on “School of Physics” and choose Laby funded STAV workshops 2014 to register your details and choose the date of the workshop you wish to attend and also include your response to the selection priorities.

Your statement addressing one or more of the selection priorities must be concise, totaling no more than 500 words. We are looking for key factors supporting your application, with brief substantiation (eg. school data, web address to evidence, clear statement of fact).

A letter advising of the outcome of the grant will be sent to applicants. Successful applicants will be advised how to arrange payment of funding (CRT and/or travel costs only) which will be paid after the event. Note: Payment of funding will be processed after the workshops, schools are required to register and make payment directly to STAV to attend the event at http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/PhysicsWorkshops.htm

7. Physics News from the Web Items selected from the bulletins of the Institute of Physics (UK) and the American Institute of Physics. Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article. a) Photons weave their way through a triple slit b) Synchrotron X-rays track fluids in the lungs c) Proton-beam therapy explained a) Photons weave their way through a triple slit http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2014/sep/25/photons-weave-their-way-through-a-triple-slit A flaw in how quantum-interference experiments are interpreted has been quantified for the first time by a team of physicists in India. Using the "path integral" formulation of quantum mechanics, the team calculated the interference pattern created when electrons or photons travel through a set of three slits. It found that non-classical paths – in which a particle can weave its way through several slits – must be considered along with the conventional quantum superposition of three direct paths (one through each of the slits). The team says the effect should be measurable in experiments involving microwave photons, and that the work could also provide insights into potential sources of decoherence in some quantum-information systems. b) Synchrotron X-rays track fluids in the lungs http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2014/sep/12/synchrotron-x-rays-track-fluids-in-the-lungs A new method of soft-tissue imaging could allow doctors to monitor respiratory treatments of cystic-fibrosis patients, reports an international research team. The technique – which measures the refraction of a grid pattern of X-rays passing through the lungs – has been successfully demonstrated in live mice, and could eventually find application in visualizing other soft tissues, such as the brain and heart. c) Proton-beam therapy explained http://blog.physicsworld.com/2014/09/15/proton-beam-therapy-explained/ The story of young brain-tumour patient Ashya King has gripped the British public over the past few weeks, with every twist and turn covered extensively in the media. In a nutshell, the five year old was removed from a hospital in Southampton at the end of August by his parents, without the authorization of doctors. They wanted their son to receive proton-beam therapy, which was not offered to them through the National Health Service (NHS). The family went to Spain in search of the treatment, triggering an international police hunt that subsequently saw the parents arrested before later being released.