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Physics, the study of matter and its motion, is one of those subjects viewed by students much like math and chemistry — a subject as confusing as it is boring.
This weekend it is the goal of the University of Idaho Society of Physics Students to botch that myth during the SPS Community Demo Night.
Senior Nathan Bridges said the night is meant to intrigue all viewers and present physics as a fun and interesting concept.
“To be interested in physics you have to have some experience where you say ‘Oh wow, I really like this,’” Bridges said.
Concepts include mechanics, electricity, magnetism and thermo dynamics. Bridges urges people not to be discouraged by these topics, all demos are designed so any audience can understand and enjoy.
“These are things that happen every day that we don’t pay attention to,” he said.
Senior James Bowen is in charge of the mechanics demos. Most of the demos he will present focus on the conservation and use of energy and how that affects an object’s momentum. For example, Bowen will illustrate how a swinging pendulum-like bowling ball can only swing as far as the amount of energy put into the ball. This will allow Bowen to stand in front of the swinging ball without being in danger of a bloody nose.
“Just don’t lean forward,” Bowen said. “That’s the key.”
Another of Bowen’s demos will demonstrate how a spinning object can increase its speed by conserving its angular momentum. Bowen will sit in a spinning desk chair with a dumbbell in each hand, arms out. If he brings his arms in toward his chest while the chair is spinning the chair will move faster because of the energy conserved.
Bowen will host around five demos Saturday. He said people shouldn’t be discouraged by physics jargon, he will outline each demo with a clear explanation before beginning. He agrees with Bridges — the main goal is to get people interested.
“We are trying to do things that we hope will impress people,” Bowen said. “Our hope is that people take more of an interest and pursue more on their own.”
Ten interactive demos will also be available to promote audience participation.
“They’re cool demos,” Bridges said. “People that come to see them will be surprised too.”
This year’s demo night marks the successful reintroduction of the event as a regular agenda item. The last demo night was held in 2005. Demo night was skipped in both 2006 and 2007 because of dwindling member support in SPS.
William Gitau Munge, a senior and president of SPS said all this has now changed. With the help of other physics students as well as ASUI, both the club and demo night are back to full force.
“Every group has actively contributed with passion and dedication in making this event successful,” Munge said.
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