Summary
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The year 2005 marks the Centenary of
the publication by Albert Einstein of
three epoch making papers on Relativity,
Photoelectric Effect and Brownian motion.
The first two of these papers revolutionized
our approach to Physics and, indeed,
to Science in general. For Indians,
this year marks another major landmark,
the 75th anniversary of the Nobel Prize
for Physics to C. V. Raman.
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It is proposed to celebrate this momentous
year in our state. A prime objective
is to popularise physics throughout
the state and there by to encourage
intellectually talented young people
to choose physics and other branches
of sciences as their careers of choice,
since the state will need many more
students trained in physics over the
coming decades. This is sought be achieved
through programmes on improving formal
education and supporting such existing
programmes, as well as focusing on the
importance of physics and careers in
physics. Some programmes will also be
created to convey the excitement of
physics through broad- based lectures.
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The programme will both focus on highlighting
the importance of physics in nation
building, and excellent and challenging
career opportunities in science in general
and physics in particular. There will
also be an appropriate celebration of
the magnificent contributions to the
world of physics by Indian luminaries
such as Homi Bhabha, S. N. Bose, C.
V. Raman etc. We will also take the
opportunity to bring together various
disciplines, which have directly or
indirectly been influenced by physics
and have, in turn, enriched physics.
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It is proposed to organize a series
of programs state- wide, touching an
involving all sectors of the Kerala
society; these are listed here in.
1. Introduction
The
year 1905 marked a watershed in Physics
with the publications of three major papers
by Albert Einstein on the subjects of Special
Theory of Relativity, Photoelectric Effect,
and Brownian Motion. The first two of these
papers, published almost a century ago certainly
changed our fundamental understanding of
nature, so much so that 1905 is some times
refereed to as the ‘Miracle Year’.
To
commemorate a hundred years of those fascinating
development, several international organisations
such as UNESCO, International Union of Pure
and Applied Physics, American Physical Society,
Association of Asian-Pacific Physical Societies,
European Physical Society, Society of African
Physicist & Mathematicians, and other
organisations have joined hands to celebrate
the year 2005 as the World year of Physics
(WYP).
As a part of the worldwide celebrations,
the Indian Physics Association (IPA) has
taken the initiative to organize wide-ranging
programs in India. In collaboration with
other interested organisations, IPA plans
to hold a large number of events and activities
during 2005. The prime motivation is to
reinvigorate the interest of the community
in Physics and related disciplines. The
programmes will be held in collaboration
with scientists from several national institutions
including Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education,
Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute
of Technology, National Centre for Science
Communicators, Bombay Association for Science
Education etc. This booklet gives some of
the proposed programmes and will be regularly
updated at IPA web site. (http://www.tifr.res.in/~vahia/ipa/).
In
tune with nation-wide activities planned
by IPA, the Academy of Physics Teachers
(APT) has decided to spearhead and co-ordinate
the WYP2005 activities in Kerala.
Through
this document we invite all those who are
interested to join this effort and to excite
the public about science on general and
physics in particular. The programmes will
be piloted by teams of APT members from
various colleges in the state, and we welcome
teachers and scientists from other institutions
joining the activities with new ideas. Some
of the events will be named after the sponsors
of the programmes.
2. Importance of the year 1905
We briefly describe the impact of the three
works of the ‘MiracleYear’.
The tittles of the original papers were
more technical, but, over a period of time,
these topics have come to be known under
different names and we refer to them accordingly.
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Special Theory of Relativity: In this
publication , Einstein worked Out the
consequences of the experimental result
that the speed of light, c, is constant.
The laws of mechanics had to be changed
to fit this basic fact. Using the mathematical
formulation worked out by Lorentz, he
showed that when objects move at speed
close to c, their behavior undergoes
a remarkable change. This also led to
the famous equation describing the equivalence
of mass and energy, E= mc², Where
E is energy, m is the mass of an object
and c is the speed of light in vacuum.
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Photoelectric Effect : In this Nobel
Prize winning work, Einstein examined
the consequences of the corpuscular
nature of light. He showed that light
quanta of a certain minimum energy are
needed to eject electrons from a material
and that the number of electrons dislodged
depends on the material. The energy
with which electrons come out depends
on the energy of the light quantum over
and above the minimum energy.
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Brownian
Motion: The third paper of 1905 concerned
tae incessant movement of very fine
dust particles in water, called Brownian
Motion, a phenomenon that had puzzled
scientists for years. Einstein proved
that this movement was caused by water
molecules, bombarding continuously with
the dust particles, thus conclusively
establishing the molecular character
of materials.
3.
Need for Celebrations
3.1 The Excitement of Science
“The
most incomprehensible thing about the Universe
is that it is comprehensible” (A.
Einstein)
Physicists believe that all natural phenomena
in the Universe, including its birth, are
simply consequences of a set of rules and
the values of various universal constants.
In this regard physics is rightly perceived
to be the fountainhead of all sciences,
and, at a minimalist level, the roots of
several scientific disciplines, be traced
to their origins in some area of physics.
Indeed different disciplines, such as biology,
chemistry, geology or medicine, at their
fundamental level, invariably involves laws
of nature which embody Physics. In this
sense the story of Physics is perhaps the
most exciting saga of human endeavor and
to participate in it, or even follow its
advances, is a delight to which everyone
should have an access. It is IPA’s
belief that anyone interested in physics
must be given an opportunity to take at
least a guided tour of this world of physics,
interpret it from his or her own perspective
and enjoy the journey according to personal
taste. However, while attempting to provide
such an opportunity, one has to contend
or at most interact only with their colleagues.
While such isolation is intended to avoid
unnecessary diversions, this can inhibit
communication with the general public. It
is therefore appropriate to use special
occasions like WYP to explain, how we have
proposed intellectually and not just technically
to society as a whole.
3.2 Physics as the Root of most Technological
Revolutions
Most major developments in technology over
the last century have had their roots in
physics. These include studies of nuclei
which gave us nuclear power; studies of
semi- conducting materials that led to the
development of transistors, the microelectronics
revolution and computers; principles of
radiography, tomography and nuclear magnetic
resonance resulting in a variety of medical
diagnostic techniques; LASERS (Light Amplification
by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), leading
to optical communication and medical applications;
superconductivity, leading to the development
of SQUIDS (Super conducting Quantum interference
Devices) which are the most sensitive detectors
known to mankind; aerodynamics, leading
to the development of aeroplanes and rockets
etc. Indeed, a large fraction of the technological
marvels of today have arisen as a result
of scientific investigations meant to understand
the working of nature.
3.3
The need for Scientific literacy and Scientific
Manpower
Understanding
science and technology is vital in today’s
challenging and competitive world and a
proper dissemination of scientific knowledge
is crucial to us as India springs to become
a global economic giant. It is therefore
necessary that tomorrow’s leaders
of society have a comfortable familiarity
with science. At the same time, science
and technology have reached a level of sophistication
and complexity that often bewilders even
its closest followers. The only way out
is to promote interaction between scientist,
engineers and people working in technical
areas with students, teachers and the general
public and ensure that the excitement of
science become a common heritage and enriches
our society.
3.4
The Need for identifying and Encouraging
Scientist of Tomorrow
As
India increases its reliance on science
and technology, the need for exciting the
younger generation into pursuing science
as a career can hardly be over emphasized.
it is only by highlighting to a large audience
that science offers both an exciting and
viable career that we in India, can attract
bright young students to become scientists
and researchers who will advance our Nation.
It is therefore vital that we use the opportunity
provided by the World Year of Physics to
reinvigorate society for the benefit of
all.
4.
Programs Planned by APT to Celebrate WYP
2005
A
recent meeting of the office bearers of
APT has decided that it should be the torchbearer
for all celebrations connected with WYP2005
in Kerala. The APT has chalked out a detailed
scheme to celebrate WYP 2005 in Kerala.
Various programs will be organized throughout
the Year 2005. A glimpse of the programs
to be organized by APT is given below.
1.
A distinguished physicist of international
stature will inaugurate the celebrations,
with a public lecture at Cochin, in the
month of January 2005.
2. A series of lectures by eminent physicists
in the country will be organized on specific
topics in physics at various colleges of
Kerala, with the aim of generating interest
and enthusiasm among students to pursue
study of science, particularly physics.
This will be done in collaboration with
the colleges. It is proposed to organize
as many such lectures as possible.
3. Members of APT will deliver popular lectures
in physics in as many schools as possible
in the state. The regional units of APT
will take the initiative to organize these
lectures in schools in their area.
4. A state level essay competition will
be organized for college students in the
state. Winners will be given certificates
and prizes.
5. A state level quiz competition will be
held to attract enthusiastic school students
to science, particularly physics. Winners
in regional quiz competitions will participate
in the state level competition.
6. A special issue of APT Tunes, the official
publication of APT, will be brought out
in the Year 2005, preferably on April 18th,
which happens to be the 50th death anniversary
of Albert Einstein.
7. A series of other programs such as cartoon
drawing competition, distribution of WYP2005
posters among schools and colleges, printing
WYP2005 Tea shirts, organizing WYP2005 procession
with participation of school students etc.
will also be organized by APT during 2005
8. WYP2005 celebrations by APT will be concluded
with a closing ceremony in which another
distinguished physicist will deliver a public
lecture, preferably at Kottayam, in December
2005.
With this kind of activities, the APT hopes
that it can generate some enthusiasm among
the public and the student community of
Kerala in the study of science, particularly
physics. Moreover, the APT is proud to take
up the responsibility of enlightening the
people of Kerala on the developments in
physics. |
