November 7, 2010
Schrödinger’s Chat
One of the strangest things about the Universe is that it cares about what you think.
It’s a concept that brings to mind all manner of questions best answered by Zen Buddhist priests, but according to quantum theory, a photon travelling between two points takes all possible paths simultaneously. Think about that for a second. Each photon of light from the bulb over your head is travelling in every direction, bouncing off every surface at every possible angle, and all at the same time; until you look. And that is the wonderful part. Simply observing one particular path causes all of the others to vanish instantaneously. Their wave-functions collapse and the path of your photon is set forever.
Your observations change the Universe, you’re doing it unconsciously all the time, and usually, it doesn’t really matter. So what if the photon went left or right?
But what about conscious observation? Everyday, we make choices. Most of these are inconsequential, but sometimes, they can alter your destiny forever.
Fifteen years ago, I made a decision. I chose to enter a competition, and started a chain of incredible events that run through my life like a string of shining pearls. I won the competition, went to Tokyo, represented my country, and met a Buddhist priest. Now, I’m on a plane heading to Amsterdam where I’ll meet with him again. He has been my friend and guide for half my life, and thanks to him, I’m becoming a system architect. Things could have been so different …
Once in a blue moon, an opportunity arises that must not be missed. Keep your eyes open, and when you get the chance, take it. It could change your life.
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June 8, 2009
Einstein @ the IOP
Einstein: Man of the Century Exhibition at the IOP
I’m currently showing the “Einstein: Man of the Century” exhibition at the Institute of Physics in London. Drawing extensively from the Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the display provides a unique and fascinating insight into the life and times of one of the world’s most iconic scientists.
If you can’t get to it while it’s in London, don’t worry; it will be moving to Birmingham University in September and to the Manchester Jewish Museum between October and December.
If you do see it, please let me know what you think.
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March 20, 2009
Bridging the Gap
Behold the wonderful Ivory Tower: the metaphysical, secluded space to which all scholars have a key. For generations, scientists have huddled within its glittering walls, pursuing their esoteric academic research in splendid isolation from the real world.
Inside the Tower, cloistered academics divorced themselves from the general public. They gathered into like-minded groups, and established universities and other centres of learning, leaving the rest of society to manage in their absence.
Years later, even as people bask in glow of the information age, they continue to live in the shadow of the Tower, surrounded by the gadgets they take for granted but barely understand. The gap between the public understanding of science and pure academic research has never been greater, and this is a matter which should concern us greatly.
Lives depend, and elections are decided, on issues such as MMR vaccination, stem cell research, GM crops and energy generation: all areas in which people remain largely fearful and ignorant. In order for both ministers and the general public to make informed choices, and for society to progress, the level of scientific literacy must rise. To do this, we must bridge the knowledge gap between the Tower and the people.
Unfortunately, the school system cannot do this alone. While both teachers and pupils try their best, they are fighting a losing battle against increasing politicisation of the syllabus, huge class sizes, and funding shortfalls. Fundamentally, and most tellingly, the current curriculum favours shallow recollection of facts over deep scientific understanding.
Our long seclusion has also affected public perception. Rather then being welcomed as useful members of society, we are dismissed as ‘boffins’ by those who readily buy into the mythical stereotype of the ‘mad’ scientist; invariably male, this character comes complete with lab coat, frizzy white hair and bubbling test tubes.
Clearly, it is time to leave the Tower. Or at least open a window. Some of us have to bridge the gap and communicate with the general public.
I’ve been involved in science outreach and education for the last decade. Formally, I tutor maths and physics to students at every stage from primary to undergraduate. By teaching beyond the syllabus, I’m able to connect seemingly disparate topics, helping my students to understand and love the subjects, and enabling them to achieve higher grades than their teachers ever thought possible.
‘Informal’ outreach (outside a classroom) is equally rewarding, but presents a much greater challenge. Initiative and project management skills are required, altruism is expected, and since outreach jobs are rare, you may have to create a role for yourself. This is possible: In 2006 I obtained a £500 grant from the IOP and used it to stage a two week Einstein event at the University of Leicester, in association with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. As a result, I’m now co-ordinating a national tour of their ‘Einstein: Man of the Century’ exhibition, together with my public lecture, ‘Einstein’s Legacy’, both of which will be appearing at the IOP (76 Portland Place) in June.
If you would like to get involved in public engagement, I recommend that you first become a STEMNET Science and Engineering Ambassador, and volunteer for a couple of their activities. If you’re more ambitious, and want to put on your own major event, you will need persistence, vision, a good team and a source of funding. You should also attend the excellent (and free) IOP Outreach Workshops.
Whichever path you take, the secrets to successful outreach are to have fun, to share your passion, and to inspire your audience. Good luck!
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March 3, 2009
Einstein, the Big Bang, and Beyond
So much stuff is happening. Too much really, but hey, it’s all good.
The Einstein project is in stasis at the moment, while we wait for the funding to be confirmed, but once that happens, hang onto your hats, because it’s going on tour. In the mean time, I will be guiding school groups around the Big Bang exhibition in London. I’ll also be working on my thesis, teaching seven students, and muddling throught the infernal never-ending housework and other adminstrative tasks that litter my life.
In theory, I should be mad busy, but the odd thing is, I’m finding it hard to do anything. Just getting out of bed is a trial. Maybe it’s because I need to shake of the fatigue of the long, cold winter, or the result of not having a proper, sunny, relaxing holiday for ages. I’ve been working on my PhD for five years. I’ve remapped the Galaxy and modelled it in my mind, and now am completely burnt out. Tired on a fundmental level.
But, it was bright when I woke up this morning. The days are getting longer and my tomatoes are sprouting in their seed trays. In the park, the migrating Canada Geese have given way to flocks of ring-necked parakeets. Even with the doom and gloom in the markets, and goodness only knows how many wars in the world, things are looking up. There is always hope. The Northern Hemisphere is waking up, and it’s going to be a good year.
I was finally offered a job last week, as a graduate engineer for Thales, which is fabulous and wonderful, and life-changing all at once. Hopefully, I’ll find time after I finish the PhD and before the job starts (in September) to have a real break. Not sure where yet, though. Any suggestions?
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January 12, 2009
Einstein on tour!
It’s been a while since I wrote anything, but then, I’ve been busy in the background sorting things out…
We’ve finally got confirmation: I’ll be touring the country this year with the Einstein: Man of the Century exhibition, and presenting the Einstein’s Legacy lecture.
It’s still early days, but so far, the programme stands as follows:
Lecture
- Jan 21st: 8:30pm Pinner Synagogue, Middlesex. All welcome!
Exhibition
- June & July: Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London.
- Oct, Nov & Dec: The Jewish Museum, Manchester.
I’m still working to secure dates in Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds and Liverpool.
Both the exhibition and the lecture are designed for the general public, and are perfect for visiting school groups. I’ll also be going to give the lecture to schools. If you, your school, or community centre would like to get involved, please contact me on michelle @ scienceinspired.com
Posted in Einstein, outreach, physics | Tagged Einstein | Leave a comment
December 30, 2008
The Answer…
Water is the only substance that expands when it gets cold.
This phenomenon occurs when hydrogen bonds align in liquid water as it is cooled from 4°C to 0°C, increasing its volume and decreasing its density. As a result, ice floats on the surface of ponds and lakes in the winter, leaving warmer liquid water beneath.
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November 20, 2008
Ask the scientist! Heat and Temperature
Science got you stumped? If you have a burning question, send it in, and I’ll do my best to answer.
Speaking of burning questions, Gabby has a few: What is temperature and what makes things feel hot or cold? Why does heat make things expand?
First, we need to define temperature and heat, because they are proper technical terms, and they are not the same thing.
“Temperature” is not itself a form of energy, but is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual molecules in a substance.
“Heat” is a measure of the total energy in a substance, i.e. the kinetic energy of all the molecules + the potential energy of all the molecules.
If you fill a kettle with water and switch it on, then electrical energy from the mains heats the element in the kettle. The element then transfers its thermal energy to the water. The molecules of the water absorb the energy, and so move faster, increasing the temperature of the water. Because the molecules have so much more energy, they tend to move apart from one another, so the volume of the water will expand. If the molecules get hot enough, then they may leave the surface of the water and escape as steam.
When you touch something hot or cold, the nerves in your skin will detect the heat of the substance and respond accordingly. So, if you touch a cup of tea, then your nerves will send electrical signals to your brain. You brain will interpret the signal, and give you the pleasant sensation of warmth. If you touch a hot iron (don’t do this!) then the heat of the iron’s surface will damage your skin, and so your nerves will send signals to your brain saying “this thing is hot” and your pain receptors will also send a message saying “this hurts. Move away from this thing.”
The actual hot and cold sensations, therefore, are just your brain’s interpretation of the world, and are not properties of the hot or cold object. The Sun is hot, but it will never “feel” heat or pain itself. People suffering from leprosy lose their sense of touch, since the disease affects their nerve endings. As a result, they frequently damage their limbs, since they do not realise they’re in danger until it is too late.
Here’s a question for you… there is one substance that expands when it gets cold. 
Do you know what it is?
Posted in physics, questions | Tagged ask, questions | 2 Comments
November 18, 2008
The Goose is Cooked
It seems the Earth is safe – at least for now! The much feted Large Hadron Collider is going to be out of action until next summer.
Back in September, during the final stage of testing, a faulty electrical connection within the collider short-circuited. This, in turn, resulted in the release of a tonne of liquid helium – a hugely expensive coolant – into the collider tube, compromising its previously perfect vacuum. (Yes: a tonne. Clearly, the leak was noticed only *after* the technicians started to sound like Mickey Mouse.)
Having lost the helium, the temperature of the delicate, super-conducting electromagnets soared rapidly, from a frigid 1.9 kelvin (-271C) to more than a hundred degrees.
This catastrophic failure, known as a ‘quench’, has caused extensive damage, leaving CERN with a PR headache, a hefty 14 million pound repair bill and a long wait.
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November 4, 2008
VOTE!!!
I don’t know if I have any readers in the US of A, but if you are out there, please vote for Obama. I would do it myself but since I’m a British Subject, not a US Citizen, I’m not allowed to. You guys have the power to change the world – make sure you change it for the better.
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November 3, 2008
Hallelujah
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift.
Leonard Cohen is wonderful; he speaks directly to your soul and lifts it up. Listen to his music. It got me through my thesis – Chapter 4 is Hallelujah, Chapter 5 is Chelsea Hotel, and Chapter 6 is Who By Fire. Achingly beautiful songs on a loop, the words winding around my mind and leading me forward.
Here’s Jeff Buckley’s version of the immortal Hallelujah. Tell me what you think …
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