• Feb 29 2012

    UCT Talk: Prof David Wolfe, University of New Mexico, will give a special colloquium talk(*)

    Dear all,

    em. Prof David Wolfe, University of New Mexico, will give a special colloquium talk(*)

    Does the Higgs Boson exist; do neutrinos travel faster than light; and other topics from particle physics

    How does mass arise? This question concerns the most fundamental aspect of matter. Where does mass come from, this concept so fundamental to gravity and to us? The possible existence of the Higgs Boson would help us to understand the origin of mass. And recently, the report that neutrinos travelling from Geneva to Rome may have arrived faster than light would have done. Can this be correct, more than a century of experiments confirming Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity. These, and similar questions, lie at the heart of modern particle theories and experiments. While students must also study the fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics and Maxwell’s electromagnetism, it is both fun and profitable to think about these 21st century problems. We shall see how many of them we can discuss in one hour. Come and, we hope, enjoy!

    when: Wed, 29 February 2012, 13:00 to 14:00
    where: Lecture room B, RW James Building

    All welcome!

    (*) Note that even time and venue are special. This talk will address anybody with an interest in recent developments in particle physics, without assuming special knowledge - 1st year students are explicitly welcome. Please forward this announcement to your students, colleagues, friends ...


    ps: For forthcoming (and previous) talks see http://www.phy.uct.ac.za/courses/colloquium