Presenter Mark Boland, an Accelerator Physicist at the Australian Synchrotron, explains the physics and operation of a synchrotron, then covers their uses in medicine, mining, forensics, manufacturing and other fields.
Languages: English
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Photonics
Presenter: Dr Alex Mazzolini, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences at Swinburne University covers the following topics: Photonics in everyday life; Light sources; Fibre optics; Ideas for practical demonstrations.
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The Periodic Table
Reviews Mendeleev’s periodic table and the theory of the nuclear structure of the atom. An examination of Bohr’s model of the atom explains how this theory led to the organization of the modern periodic table. Students use the periodic table to make predictions about the chemical properties and reactions of representative elements.
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Special Relativity
Presenter: Joe Wolfe, Professor of Physics, University of New South Wales covers the topic Approaches to teaching Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity.
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Reaction Equations
Discusses formation and decomposition reactions: how to predict and test compound classification as ionic, molecular, acid or base; how to name the compounds involved; the law of conservation of mass; and how to balance equations.
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Light Phase and Matter
Dr Catherine Low discusses difficulties students have with models and concepts of light and matter. Catherine recently completed her PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics and is currently teaching senior physics in New Zealand. Catherine Bell discusses the importance of phase in understanding the behaviour of waves. She is completing a PhD on Phase Microscopy and is currently teaching senior Physics.
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Combustion and Replacement Reactions
Compares combustion reactions to respiration, explores solubility, explains polyatomic ions and multi-valent metals, and investigates single and double replacement reactions.
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Sound and Other Demonstrations
Sandor Kazi presents a range of demonstrations related to waves, including: wave machines, standing waves, Chladni figures, ripple tanks and resonance. Sandor teaches senior Physics. Nick Nicola is the Undergraduate Laboratory Manager, School of Physics, University of Melbourne. His demonstrations focus on upper secondary physics.
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Matter and Energy on the Move
Examines the movement of matter into and out of living cells across a semipermeable membrane and the role energy plays. The concepts of diffusion, osmosis, concentration gradients, and active and passive transport are explained and demonstrated.
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Beam On: Careers at the Synchrotron
Physicist Roger Rassool finds out who does what at a Synchrotron, and why they love their jobs. He discovers that many of them are young, and that you don’t necessarily need a PhD to work at this highly specialised facility. In fact, not everyone working there is even a scientist. The people he meets are: KYLIE ROGAN, Admin Officer/Project Support; Dr MARK BOLAND, Accelerator Physicist ; TRENT SMITH, Technician; SAM MICKLE, Accelerator Operator; Dr KIA WALLWORK, Beamline Scientist; Alan JACKSON, Technical Director. Along the way, Roger discovers the basics of how a synchrotron works, and some of its uses. This program will be of interest to both science and careers teachers. Its style is informal and very user-friendly. Which is probably why reaction to it has been so positive.