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Colder Than the Depths Of Space – Cold Atoms and Diffraction

Elena Frawley, Ashlee Church, Caitlin MacDonald, Corinne Carlyon, Sophie MacEoin

Mater Christi College

Introduction

What is the project about:This project of diffraction was to show the colour spectrum of different types of light. Through the light spectrum, the gratings in a DVD separated the spectrum into multiple colours. We designed a dffractmeter and experimented with different designs to see which one would work best for the goal we were trying to achieve.

Diffraction is an important part of physics and science as it can be used to find new technology, including imaging. It puts a visual aspect of things around us so that it is clear to understand and see. Diffraction grating can be used to tune lasers and calibrate telescopes.

Before I started this project, I had a limited understanding of what it would actually be like in this area. I had never experienced physics directly and had a narrow view of what it would be lilke.

Aim/Motivation

Our aim was to create a diffractmeter using a diffraction grating to see the colour spectrum in a source of light. To determine an unknown wavelength using angles from the difrractmeter. Using the gratings to separate colour and reflect onto a white glossy piece of paper to show a visual aspect of the factors in light.

How has being part of GTP changed my appreciation for physics?

How has our understanding of science, scientists and career opportunities changed through this experience. Relate to the work that you have experienced in the lab or the department.

Through this experience, my understanding has transformed. I have a broader understanding and more knowledge in physics than I previously has. Before GTP I had no knowledge of any jobs relating to physics. But I, now, know of many career pathways in the field of physics.

Conclusion

I have learnt a lot about physics including the experience working in this field and some more knowledge of the application. I have learnt more about physics and can now confirm that at the moment I enjoy physics a lot. I have learnt that physicists don’t necessarily always use equations and maths to do experiments. There is a lot of other factors that contribute to the research. My plan is to most likely continue physics through to year 12 and even beyond that into university.

Acknowledgements- Area of Domain: Physics- Mentors: Yaakov (Jack) Fain - Haydn- The Growing Tall Poppies Science Partnership Program

Reflection about the job opportunities that physics can open up for me.There are many job opportunities and pathways that physics can open up. For example:- Bureau of Meteorology- Astronomy- Medical Physics- Nanotechnology- Computing- Commercial lasers- EngineeringHow important is it to know the types of jobs you can follow to the subject choices you make?It is important to know the pathways so that you can make an informed decision about where you will continue to go and what to pursue.

The Australian Synchrotron Ripple Tank diffraction pattern Diffraction Patterns of laser light through different size slits

Data Collection:

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How is this project related to a real world problem?

Challenging Stereotypes of what I thought physicists were likeMale vs female stereotypes I haven’t experienced females as actual physicists unfortunately. My only knowledge is teachers or media influences. The only experience I’ve had is males in physics. For example, Einstein, Newton and even the TV show ‘The Big Bang Theory’.Can I identify with physicists and physics?I thihnk that anyone can be capable and abe to get into physics. It is only limited by hard work and effort. Do I think I am able to do physics, am I capable?I believe that anyone has the capability to do physics. The effort that someone puts in to something is what defines how well someone can do. It is partly but not completely about the ability to actually do it, but more about the hard work that’s put into attempting it.Has it changed my mind about studying physics or staying in physics studies?Even before this program, I was very interested in physics and was happy when I heard that we would be doing physics. This has broadened my knowledge and I still want to continue studying physics.

Being a part of this program has changed my perspective of what working in the field would actually be like. I am really interested in physics and have been since I first started learning it.

When I study it at school, we get taught the very simple basic principles, but we don’t know or experience it actually being put into play in the real world. In this program, I experienced and actually experimented myself using knowledge that I have learnt.

We collected data for different things to design the diffractmeter.We collected the angular distance and the width of the spectrum. This allowed us to have measurements to create a successful difractmeter. Using a DVD we diffracted white light to a piece of glossy paper to show the colour spectrum. We chose a DVD instead of a CD because the diffraction grating was too big therefore the diffraction would have been improperly placed and not as clear as the DVD. We used razor blades to direct the light towards the DVD and to not give off any excess light. This also meant that we had to enclose the box and cover the inside in black paper to keep it dark so that no light reflected causing any disruptions. We had to create a viewing point to look at the spectrum but figure out the angles it would reflect at so that it wouldn’t be disrupted or reflected into our eyes.

The use of diffraction does not relate directly to any real world problems but helps with lab research to get accurate results. It contributes tot the research and technology use in things like tuning lasers and calibrating telescopes. IT can be used for things like medical imagine, crystal structures and individual aspects.