UCD Transition Year Physics Course 2007

Heya Everyone!!!

Welcome to the UCD Transition Year Physics Course Blog 2007!!!This blog basically consists of our thoughts, views and opinions of the week's events.We hope that you enjoy it!!!

Our Week in the UCD Physics Department. . . . .From Nanophysics to rocket launching to trampolining our week here at UCD has been anything but boring!On the first day we were all quite apprehensive about the week ahead. Would it be hard? Would we understand anything? . . . . We arrived in dribs and drabs to room 128 and slowly began making new friends and extending our knowledge of physics. Throughout the week we've had a series of lectures on many of the different aspects of physics. Although the word lecture was synonymous with boring in my mind up until now, these lectures were very far from uninteresting, in fact, some were really fascinating. The first lecture was titled 'What is Physics?' In this we discussed the basics of physics including motion and energy. We took part in some interesting demonstrations which made the whole thing a lot more enjoyable. Next a man called Dr. Ian Mercer talked to us about lasers and there many uses in technology. We also tested our reflexes and found that the girls in the class were a lot quicker than the boys. But of course we knew that already!
After our lectures and our experiments we had a tour of the physics department. This gave us a great insight into all the different careers available in physics. We had the opportunity to speak to many of the physicists from the different sectors. They were really patient and answered all of our questions. As we toured the building we looked at tons of high-tech material and even got to see plutonium!
All in all the week was a huge success. There was a perfect blend of both fun and educational activities and so everyone had a great time. The physicists were all so welcoming and friendly, especially Padraig and Lorraine; they definitely helped a career in physics onto the short list of my possible career choices.

Throughout the physics course we had a rocket and space themed day. In the morning we had two lectures. One on astrophysics and the other on the rocket physics. These two lectures were some of the most interesting.It is really unbelievable how much is unknown about space! There was so much information to take in and to get your head around but most of it made sense.We think we know so much about space and the universe but as you hear the information and ask questions, no one knows the answer to, you realise how small and insignificant we all are.While learning about how a rocket works, we noted plenty of figures and laws. This really helped us in the construction and launching of our rockets.

After learning all about rockets we proceeded to lab 132 and made our very own rockets out of empty plastic bottles, cardboard and plenty of sellotape!. After about an hour of preparation our rocket was finally complete.We all made our way to the football pitches where we prepared for launch.
To launch we filled 1/3 of the bottle with water and connected it to the pump. We pumped and pumped and pumped some more and finally, after a few mishaps, our rocket named ‘Barbara’ blasted off and was the best water rocket ever created(we think so anyway!).

Another highlight of the physics course was the day dedicated to Medical Physics.I had never before been aware of this particular branch of physics and it was introduced to us by Professor Peter Mitchell with his lecture on 'Medical Physics and Radition safety'
Throughout the lecture we discussed the many different aspects to medical physics. We talked about radioactive decay, including the different types of decay; Alpha, Beta and Gama Rays.We were introduced to the various machines used in nuclear medicine; a Gama Camera, a PET (Position Emission Tomography), MRI and CT scanners.We then proceeded to discuss Radiation Radiotherapy as well as the harmful effects of radition. This part of the lecture was very graphic and quite gruesome! However, it definately drilled into us the importance of radiation safety. Overall the lecture was both very interesting and very benificial!

Next on the agenda was the B-Ray Absorbtion experiment, in Lab 132, with Thomas and Gillian. The aim of this experiment was to show that the absorbtion of B-Rays depends, not on the nature of the material, but on the mass per unit area of the absorber. This experiment was good fun, if just a tad complicated!

After lunch it was time for a ''UCD Road Trip'' to St. Luke's Cancer Hospital, in Rathgar. Upon our arrival, we were given two brief lectures on medical physics. We were then split into groups to view various different areas and scanners in the hospital.

We were taken to examine a Gama Ray Gun. We viewed it in action and were showed how it worked.Next it was off to the CT scanner and finally to Radiation Storage.It was here we were to be educated on Radioiodine Treatment for Thyrotoxicosis. We learnt that it is quite a difficult and intensive treatment, yet a very effective one.

All to soon our tour was finished and we returned to UCD, our heads full of medical physics; of radition, Scanners and Gama Ray Guns!All in all the day was a huge success and I shall most definately be adding medical physics, as a possible area to study, for my future careers!

In conclusion, we would just like to say, that this has been a very worthwhile, informative and an enjoyable course which, we feel, has benifited everyone involved.It has also given us the chance to experience student life at UCD which, for the record, is great!!!
Finally, we would just like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Loraine and Padraig for organising such a great TY physics course aswell a a big thank you to the numerous lecturers, guest speakers and phd students who made this week such a benificial experience for us all!!!!

By: Cara, Conor, Jenny and Laura.