'Physics Week' celebration kicks off Oct. 26

Dan Claes, chair of the department of Physics and Astronomy, demonstrates in front of a class.
Dan Claes, chair of the department of Physics and Astronomy, demonstrates in front of a class.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in a week of physics-themed events when the Department of Physics and Astronomy celebrates the dedication of Jorgensen Hall. The week-long celebration culminates in the official dedication ceremony of the new building at 4 p.m., Oct. 29.

"Physics Week" kicks off with "Comic Book Physics 101," hosted by department chair Dan Claes at 7 p.m., Oct. 26 in Jorgensen Hall room 136. Claes will explore physics topics inspired by comic book characters, their superpowers and significant events in their history. He'll look at the limits of Superman's powers and figure out what can be deduced about his home planet, Krypton. Claes will also talk about the homemade particle accelerator Tony Stark uses in "Iron Man 2" to produce element 118.

Cliff Bettis, research associate professor of physics and astronomy, will present "A Little Bit About Almost Nothing" at 7 p.m., Oct. 27 in Jorgensen Hall room 136. The show features demonstrations done under vacuum.

The university will dedicate Jorgensen Hall on Oct. 29. The 125,000-square-foot building is name for Ted Jorgensen, an alumnus, distinguished educator and former department chair. Among his many accomplishments, Jorgensen was involved in the Manhattan Project, which spurred the idea to create UNL's internationally recognized atomic collisions program.

The week wraps up with a tailgate party and open house, which will begin at noon, Oct. 30. Food, displays and demonstrations are planned along with professor Tim Gay's "Football Physics" lecture.

- Jean Ortiz Jones, University Communications