Absolute Zero: The Cold, Hard Facts About the Coolest Stuff in Physics
What Is the Difference Between Cold and Hot? What's the Coldest Anything Can Be? Why do scientists care about making gases colder than anything has ever been before? What happens to matter near Absolute Zero? How do we get to less than a millionth of a degree above Absolute Zero? How is the achievement of such incredibly cold temperatures going to affect everyday life?
The web seminar titled, "Absolute Zero: The Cold Hard Facts about the Coolest Stuff in Physics" was held on Thursday, March 22, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenters were Linda Devillier, President of Devillier Communications, and Nobel Laureate William Phillips, leading researcher in the physics of ultra-low temperature atomic gases at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The presenters talked about "Absolute Zero," a two-part public television special scheduled to air in the fall of 2007 and about the science of cold physics and the related research taking place at NIST.
Eighty-seven (87) participants were present at the live Web Seminar in addition to the presenters and the NSTA staff. Participating educators represented the states of California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Participants from Brazil, Canada, and Thailand also attended the presentation. One of the teachers reported hosting a group of (approximately) 300 students at an elementary school in Virginia.
In this seminar, Dr. Phillips shared with participants how and why he and his colleagues made the coldest gases ever seen, provided engaging ideas on how to make the physics of the ultra-cold appealing to middle and high school students, and described demonstrations for formal and informal educators. One of the applications of the science of cold physics is designing better clocks. Ms. Devillier also shared a brief description about the "Absolute Zero" two-part public television special and about educational resources available at the Absolute Zero web site for educators interested in this topic.
Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:
- "I teach about temperature, thermal energy, and absolute zero in my physical science course for 9th graders and my physics courses for 11th and 12th graders."
- "Bill explains complex physics in a very basic way. I can explain it to my students in the same way."
- "Gave information that is current and directly from someone working in the field. This is a subject that always seems to interest students."
- "This goes right along with our course work. Students are fascinated by the idea of absolute zero and this web seminar provided a great enrichment opportunity for me!"
Archive of Web seminar is hosted by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Copy written and presentation conducted in collaboration with NSTA.
