Science for All Talks in East Kilbride....

Fourth in the series of talks aimed to increase public awareness of science will discuss the atomic nucleus and the controversial issue of nuclear power. Study of the nucleus is driven by the desire to learn about the fundamental constituents of matter – essentially, what we are made of? Our understanding of laws that govern the behaviour of matter has benefited enormously from such studies. Paradoxically, the understanding of the nucleus has been responsible for our current view of the origin of the Universe.

On a more practical level, medical advances like MRI, PET scanners, radiotherapy have come about from the study of nuclei. The world-wide-web was invented to facilitate communications between nuclear physics laboratories. Radio-isotope dating techniques have allowed us to establish the way the Earth’s climate has changed in the past.

Nuclear fission has been harnessed to generate environmentally clean power, although it has its associated concerns regarding radioactive waste disposal. The Sun maintains its prodigious energy flow through nuclear fusion of hydrogen. The development of nuclear fusion has the possibilities of supplying limitless energy in the future.

Dr Ravi Singhal has studied nuclear physics over the past forty years. In this series of talks, he will introduce the various ideas for the general audience without assuming any previous scientific background. The talks are suitable for all to attend and they are free. Secondary school students are especially encouraged to come to the talks.

The ‘Science for All’ is managed by Dr. Singhal in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow University. In previous talks, Dr Singhal has discussed the subjects of The Universe, Climate Change and Nano-technology. Further details about the programme may be obtained by contacting ektalks@yahoo.co.uk

The websites http://www.scienceforall.co.uk and http://ektalks.blogspot.com give current updates about the science awareness programme in East Kilbride.

Science For All Talks start in February.....

Atomic Nucleus and Nuclear Energy

Dr Ravi Singhal
http://ektalks.blogspot.com/

http://www.scienceforall.co.uk/

Free Science Talks for Secondary Pupils & Adults

No Science Background Needed

11 am – 12 noon on Saturdays
16, 23 February; 1, 8 & 15 March 2008
James Watt Auditorium, E.K. Technology Park, G75 0QD
(Ample free parking on site)

Talks aimed at increasing public awareness of science, Dr. Singhal will look at the atomic nucleus. Ten thousand times smaller than the atom, the nucleus carries most of the mass. The first three talks will aim to answer some of the questions:

What is the nucleus made of?
How do we study the nucleus?
How is the nucleus held together?
What are nuclear fission and fusion?
How have nuclear applications benefited mankind?

The last two talks will look at the science of nuclear energy production. This is a topic of vigorous current debate in the U.K. and is of great public interest/concern – particularly in relation to limiting carbon emissions, securing energy supplies, nuclear waste management and safety.

The talks are designed for the general audience and no prior background in science is required. Secondary school students are especially encouraged to attend. The presentation promises to be visually attractive, entertaining and thought-provoking. The talks are free to attend.

In Partnership with: Physics Department, Glasgow University
Scottish Enterprise, Lanarkshire

Further Information: ekTalks@yahoo.co.uk