How is quantum mechanics relevant for how birds migrate, or the color of their feathers? To the color of blood and precious gems? And how does quantum mechanics lead to materials properties – which define the ages of history, from the stone age to the current silicon age that describes our microelectronics?
Join Alex Georgescu, a theoretical physicist/materials scientist/chemist from IU Chemistry to learn more.
Matter/Antimatter Asymmetry
The asymmetry of matter and antimatter is one of the greatest puzzles in physics. All particles have antimatter versions that are nearly identical, but with mirrored properties such as the opposite electric charge. When an antimatter and a matter particle meet, they annihilate in a flash of energy.
If antimatter and matter are mirrored copies of each other, they should have been produced in equal amounts in the Big Bang. But today there’s nearly no antimatter left in the universe. We only see it in some radioactive decays and a fraction of cosmic rays. So what happened to it?
Dr. Mike Snow, IU professor of physics will talk about this mystery.
Wednesday, August 21st, Gravity by Mike Snow
Wednesday, August 21, 7pm at Hopscotch
Physicist Mike Snow will join us for another Science Cafe, this time on the subject of gravity. Come learn the latest about the nature of the force that keeps us grounded.
Several things to note:
1) We’re starting at 7pm
2) We’re on the 3rd Wednesday
3) We’re at Hopscotch on Morton & Dodds
4) Hopscotch doesn’t have much food, which is why we’re beginning at 7pm (They do have great coffee, tea, beer, and pastries all the time.)