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.
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