The seventh annual Australian Institute of Physics/Powerhouse Museum demonstration lecture will explore the current output from Einstein’s original work. In the past topics have included Lasers, Quantum computing, GPS, Global warming and medical science. This year’s speaker is Dr. Michael J. Biercuk from the University of Sydney.

It’s a small, small world

We live in a world at the scale of meters, kilograms, and Joules, where Newton’s laws explain most of our everyday experiences. But lurking beneath is another world entirely – a world at very small scales of length, mass, and energy. Modern science has enabled us to produce tiny “nanoscale” devices, where our classical understanding of the laws of physics breaks down and we’re forced to employ an exotic theory – quantum mechanics – to describe nature.

An examination of the physics of the very small and very cold will reveal just how different the quantum world is to our own. Our discussion will explore the wealth of bizarre phenomena that arise in quantum mechanics, and how we can exploit them to enable an entire generation of new technologies.

Dr. Michael J. Biercuk is an experimental physicist from the Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems at the University of Sydney. Michael runs a research group performing cutting-edge experiments using trapped atoms to study and exploit the strangest effects in quantum physics.

Recommended for 14 years and up. Light refreshments included in ticket price.

Sessions available for school groups and an evening public event.

PUBLIC EVENT
When: Tuesday 21 August, Doors open 5.30pm for refreshments. Event starts at 6.30pm
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Tickets: $5 adult, $2 under 18s. Bookings essential. Call (02) 9217 0222 or BOOK ONLINE.

SCHOOLS SESSION
When: Tuesday 21 August, 11am – 12 noon
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Tickets: $10 per student (includes Museum entry). Booking essential. If you have any questions about booking a school session please call (02) 9217 0381 or email tilly.boleyn@phm.gov.au

Presented by the Powerhouse Museum and Australian Institute of Physics. Supported by the Australian College of Educators.