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S. James Gates, John S. Toll Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park, will speak on “Can Superstring/M-Theory Be Seen in the Sky?” noon today in Gagnon Lecture Hall, Hugel Science Center room 100.
Sponsored by the Physics Club, the talk will cover the superstring theory and the possibility of observing the consequences of this theory in the universe. Free pizza will be provided.
String theory was developed approximately 30 years ago by theoretical physicists who were uneasy with discrepancies between Einstein’s theory of general relativity and quantum physics. In string theory, tiny open and closed strings are the most fundamental particles in the universe. The ability of these strings to spin has enabled physicists to make string theory consistent with both quantum mechanics and special relativity.
“This subject has done something in physics that I have never quite seen happen before, and that is it has seemed to have captured the imagination of the general public,” Gates says.
Yesterday evening, he answered questions after the screening of the first hour of the PBS special The Elegant Universe, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Jaqua Auditorium, Hugel Science Center room 103. Gates is a featured scientist in the special. Refreshments were provided.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come and learn a little about the frontiers of physics from one of its major figures,” said Michael Stark, assistant professor of physics.
Both public events have been sponsored by the Physics Club.
Gates has published over 100 research papers, co-authored one book, entitled Super Space, and contributed numerous articles to professional journals and books. He has been recognized for many achievements and contributions, including becoming the first recipient of the American Physical Society’s Edward A. Bouchet Award in 1994, given to a minority physicist who has made significant contributions to his field; being named the first John S. Toll Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, making him the first African-American to hold an endowed chair in physics at a major U.S. research university; and being selected as president of the National Society of Black Physicists.
The Physics Club’s prior brown bags featured Lutz Huwel, director of Molecular Photophysics Laboratory and associate professor of physics at Wesleyan University, speaking on “Topics in Photophysics: Dissociative Ionization of Small Molecules” Oct. 29, and Wojciech Zurek, laboratory fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory, speaking on “When Symmetry Breaks, How Big Are the Pieces?” Oct. 14.