The Saturday Morning Physics program introduces local students and community members to current topics in the physical sciences, presented by scientists active in research. We seek to educate, entertain, and inspire. We offer this program as a community service free to the participants; it is completely funded by Florida State University. Over the years, thousands of students of all ages have enjoyed this program, learning and benefiting from the opportunity to interact directly with working scientists.
The Fall 2021 schedule is now posted!
Fall 2021 Schedule
The presentations will be delivered over Zoom. All presentations will begin at 9:30 am and end between 11 am and 11:15 am.
Zoom registration link: https://fsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIof-mtrj8rG9BLWi9rWSynC-BqGqopjKcC
Separate registration is required to attend each of the presentations.
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| 10/9/2021 | Astronomy in a Universe Filled with Light and Dark Matter
Explore the Universe from sub-atomic particles to black holes to clusters of galaxies, testing the extremes of natural laws. |
Dr. Kevin Huffenberger Dr. David Collins |
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10/16/2021 |
Particle Physics: What Matter Is and How We Know Learn of the discoveries that informed our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature, and what the future may hold! |
Dr. Rachel Yohay Dr. Kohsaku Tobioka |
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| 10/23/2021 |
The National MagLab and Strange Superconductors Learn about magnet research and future applications in our society. |
Dr. Laura Greene |
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| 10/30/2021 |
Physics of Waves |
Dr. Sean Dobbs Dr. Hanwei Gao |
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| 11/6/2021 |
Forging Elements in Exploding Stars and in the Lab Discover how exploding stars made us all, and how we study nuclear processes here on Earth. |
Dr. Mark Spieker |
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| 11/13/2021 |
Spacetime and Black Holes In 1915, Albert Einstein completed his theory of General Relativity, one of the most enduring and transformational theories of all of physics. His theory is based upon a few simple observations and statements. First, motions are relative; second, the speed of light is constant; third, the acceleration you feel in a rocket is equivalent to gravity’s acceleration on Earth. While simple, these statements profoundly changed our understanding of the Universe. Space and time are not constants of reality; rather they are relative and intimately connected. Gravity is not a force but the warping of spacetime, which in turn leads to the prediction of black holes and gravitational waves. In this presentation, we will explore how these simple, yet profound statements lead to these predictions. We will also learn how Einstein’s theory of General Relativity has endured more than a century of experiments, making it one of the most successful theories of human history. |
Dr. Jeremiah Murphy |
Want more information?
Professor Christianne Beekman
Saturday Morning Physics Committee Chair
Physics Department
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4350
phone: 850.645.0975
E-mail: cbeekman@fsu.edu