What was Robin Bjorkquist's research about?

Robin Bjorkquist discussed her involvement in the Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab. This experiment aims to measure a specific property of muons with extremely high precision to test fundamental physics theories.

What is the universe made of, according to Dan Hooper?

Dan Hooper explained that the universe is composed primarily of dark energy (about 69%), dark matter (about 26%), and a small fraction of atoms (about 5%). He also touched on photons, neutrinos, and other early universe particles.

How are black holes described by physicists?

Shane Larsen explained that black holes are surprisingly simple to describe, requiring only three numbers: mass, spin, and electric charge. These three properties determine all other characteristics of the black hole.

How do scientists detect neutrinos?

Dave Pushka described how the NOvA detector uses large volumes of a material called scintillator (similar to baby oil) that emits light when a neutrino interacts with an atom's nucleus. This light is then detected to register the event.

What is the goal of the Mu2e experiment?

The Mu2e experiment aims to detect a very rare process where a muon spontaneously turns into an electron. Observing this would indicate physics beyond the Standard Model, as it's predicted to be exceedingly rare.

How is the winner of the Physics Slam decided?

The winner of the Physics Slam is determined by the audience's applause. After all speakers present, they are brought back out, and their applause is measured instrumentally to select the loudest.

What are the implications of the LIGO detections?

LIGO's detection of gravitational waves from merging black holes confirmed a century-old prediction by Einstein and opened a new way to observe the universe by listening to cosmic events.

Why does the composition of the universe change over time?

The composition changes due to the expansion of space. Matter and radiation densities decrease as space expands, while dark energy's density remains constant, eventually making it the dominant force.

Can energy be created or destroyed in an expanding universe?

While energy is conserved in closed systems or particle interactions, the expanding universe is not a closed system. In this context, the law of conservation of energy as typically taught doesn't strictly apply, as dark energy's density remains constant.

What is the biggest mystery about black holes?

A key mystery is understanding how black holes bend spacetime, particularly inside the event horizon where nothing can escape. Scientists also aim to determine how black holes of different sizes bend spacetime and if tiny black holes can bend it more intensely than massive ones.

What are astronomers most excited about discovering?

While direct detection of dark matter is exciting, finding an Earth-like exoplanet with water and clouds is a major goal. However, historical trends suggest that the most revolutionary discoveries are often unexpected.

2016 Physics Slam

Fermilab

Science & Technology4 min read87 min video

Apr 11, 2018|6,790 views|139|9

Fermilab Physics

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Five physicists present cutting-edge research on muons, dark energy, gravitational waves, neutrinos, and electron-muon conversion.

Key Insights

The muon g-2 experiment aims to measure an anomalous magnetic moment with unprecedented precision to probe fundamental physics.

The universe's composition has drastically changed over time, from aradiation-dominated early universe to one dominated by dark energy.

Black holes, despite being simple in description (mass, spin, charge), are central to astrophysics and can be detected through gravitational effects and gravitational waves.

The NOvA detector uses large quantities of baby oil as scintillator to detect neutrinos by observing the light produced by charged particles from neutrino interactions.

The Mu2e experiment seeks to detect a rare electron-muon conversion to search for physics beyond the Standard Model, which could explain phenomena like dark matter.

Understanding the universe's composition and evolution requires both theoretical models and experimental observations across various scales and eras.

INTRODUCTION AND THE PHYSICS SLAM CONCEPT

The 2016 Fermilab Physics Slam, hosted by Chris Miller, marks its fifth year as a sold-out event showcasing cutting-edge physics research. The emcee emphasizes that the Physics Slam is designed to educate and excite young people about science. Speakers are given ten minutes each to present their research, with audience applause determining the winner. This format creates an engaging and accessible platform for complex scientific topics, highlighting the importance of public engagement in science.

THE MUON G-2 EXPERIMENT: A PRECISION MEASUREMENT

Robin Bjorkquist discusses the muon g-2 experiment, which aims to precisely measure the anomalous magnetic moment of muons. This measurement is crucial because it can reveal deviations from the Standard Model of particle physics. The experiment involves reusing a large superconducting magnet from Brookhaven National Lab, highlighting the collaborative and iterative nature of scientific endeavors. Bjorkquist emphasizes the immense challenge and importance of achieving extreme measurement precision, comparing it to measuring the width of a human hair.

THE EVOLVING UNIVERSE: FROM BIG BANG TO DARK ENERGY DOMINANCE

Dan Hooper takes the audience on a cosmic journey, illustrating the changing composition of the universe over billions of years. Using an interactive approach, he demonstrates how matter and energy have shifted from a radiation-dominated early universe to one currently dominated by dark matter and, increasingly, dark energy. His presentation vividly shows that atoms, dark matter, and dark energy have played vastly different roles throughout cosmic history, with dark energy expected to dominate the universe's future.

BLACK HOLES AND GRAVITATIONAL WAVES: DETECTING THE UNSEEN

Shane Larson explains the simplicity and mystery of black holes, defined by just three numbers: mass, spin, and electric charge. He contrasts this with the complexity of everyday objects like cars. Larson details how astronomers observe black holes indirectly by their gravitational effects on surrounding matter or directly by detecting gravitational waves. The LIGO experiment, which measures these minute distortions in spacetime, was instrumental in detecting the merger of two black holes, confirming Einstein's predictions and opening a new window on the universe.

THE NOvA DETECTOR: HUNTING NEUTRINOS WITH BABY OIL

Dave Pushka, an engineer, describes the construction of the NOvA detector, designed to measure differences in neutrino masses. The detector's immense size is necessary because neutrino interactions are rare. Utilizing a large volume of scintillator material, primarily baby oil with added chemicals, the detector converts neutrino-induced particle showers into detectable light. The ingenious engineering involved a modular design and specialized assembly techniques to construct the massive detector modules, showcasing the crucial role of engineering in particle physics experiments.

THE MU2E EXPERIMENT: SEARCHING FOR NEW PHYSICS

Erick Prebys introduces the Mu2e experiment, which aims to detect a rare process: the conversion of a muon into an electron. According to the Standard Model, this process is exceedingly rare, but many theories that extend the Standard Model predict it should occur much more frequently. By building a highly sensitive detector capable of measuring electron energies with great precision, Mu2e can either discover evidence of new physics or significantly constrain existing theories, highlighting its importance in probing physics beyond the current Standard Model.

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT AND PRIZE CEREMONY

The Physics Slam culminates in an exciting audience-judged competition where the loudest applause determines the winner. The speakers are brought back on stage, and a sound meter measures the audience's reaction to each. While all participants win prizes, the friendly competition adds an extra layer of excitement. The event underscores Fermilab's commitment to science communication and fostering enthusiasm for physics among all ages.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: DELVING DEEPER

Following the presentations and awards, an extensive Q&A session allows the audience to engage directly with the speakers. Questions range from the fundamental properties of black holes and the nature of dark energy to the practicalities of neutrino detection. The speakers address topics such as the conservation of energy in an expanding universe and the possibility of alternative theories like Modified Newtonian Dynamics, demonstrating the ongoing debates and investigative spirit within physics.

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Common Questions

The Fermilab Physics Slam is an annual event where physicists and engineers present their research in short, engaging talks, with the audience deciding the winner through applause. It's designed to make complex scientific topics accessible and exciting.