The connections between work, energy, heat and temperature will be explained during the Saturday, Jan. 18, CU Wizards show on "Heat, Temperature and Absolute Zero."
Paul Beale, a physics professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will present the show at 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics room G1B30. The show, aimed primarily at students in grades five through nine, is free and open to the public.
During the show Beale will use props including balloons and superconductors to demonstrate how temperatures are measured and how the properties of materials change dramatically as their temperatures are varied from thousands of degrees above zero to hundreds of degrees below zero. He also will use an infrared camera and other tools to show that all objects, including the human body, emit radiation that depends on their temperature.
The audience will learn what heat is, how temperature is related to the motion of molecules in a material, why there is an absolute zero temperature and what distinguishes solids, liquids and gases from each other. Beale also will explain why interesting things happen when matter is cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero.
CU Wizards is usually held the third Saturday of each month during the academic year and focuses on astronomy, chemistry and physics. Though intended primarily for students in grades five through nine, the shows are educational and entertaining to people of all ages.
The remaining 2002-03 CU Wizards schedule is:
Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professors Noel Clark and Joe Maclennan of physics, and Professor Dave Walba of chemistry and biochemistry, "Liquid Crystals."
March 15, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Associate Professor Kathy Rowlen of chemistry and biochemistry, "Chemistry of Light."
April 19, 9:30 a.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Adjoint Professor James Faller of physics, "The Physics of Music."
May 17, 9:30 a.m., Cristol Chemistry room 140, Assistant Professor Deborah Wuttke of chemistry and biochemistry, "Biochemistry for Kids."
June 14, 9:30 a.m., Fiske Planetarium, Professor Andrew Hamilton of astrophysical and planetary sciences, "Black Holes."
For more information about CU Wizards call (303) 492-4318 or visit the Web site at .