Events at Physics |
Events on Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
- First Day of Class
- Atomic Physics Seminar
- The Beginning and End of Heavy Element Nucleosynthesis
- Time: 11:00 am
- Place: 5310 Chamberlin
- Speaker: Ian Roederer, Carnegie Observatories
- Abstract: Understanding the origin of the elements is one of the major challenges of modern astrophysics. The oxygen in water molecules; the calcium in our bones; the uranium in our weapons---it's all stardust. But what about the details? The answers lie mostly with the stars. I will share recent observations from the high-resolution spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope that teach us about how some of the heaviest elements have been produced. I will highlight connections between atomic physics, nuclear physics, and astronomy that have enabled these advances.
- Host: Lawler & Zweibel
- Chaos & Complex Systems Seminar
- Myths of Mathematics
- Time: 12:05 pm
- Place: 4274 Chamberlin (refreshments will be served)
- Speaker: Moe Hirsch, UW Department of Mathematics
- Abstract: I will give my informal and rather half-baked views on what math "is" and how it is used ---mostly provocative quotations from well known scientists and philosophers, some of which even make sense.<br>