On Halloween, the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Wizards series will combine physics, chemistry and engineering to fascinate local children with a presentation titled "liquid crystals."
Professors Noel Clark, David Walba and Joe Maclennan of the University of Colorado at Boulder and Chris Conery of Broomfield High School will teach children some of the basic concepts of liquid crystals using exciting experiments and lively visual displays.
The presentation will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9:30 a.m. in the Duane Physics building, room G-030, on the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä-Boulder campus.
Liquid crystals are materials that in many ways are "in between" solid and liquid states, Clark explained. They are found in the delicate and beautiful walls of a soap bubble and are the major component of living cell walls.
In this Wizards presentation, children will learn about polarized light, how red, green and blue can be combined to create all the colors, and how a liquid crystal display works. "A popular part of the show is when parents demonstrate the molecular alignment in liquid crystals by dancing to the Macarena," Walba said.
All ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Wizards series programs are free. While the programs are recommended for children in grades five through nine, all ages are welcome. Reservations are not required.
Free parking is available in Lots 169, 378, 396 and 436 and paid parking is available in the Euclid Autopark. People with a disability or special need should notify the physics department at 303-492-6952 a few days in advance of the show. For general information about the ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Wizards program and schedule, call 303-492-4318.
The next presentation in the series, "Boom! The Physics of Air Pressure and Sound," will be held on Nov. 28 in Duane Physics, room G-030.