The Education, Science and Universities Councilor of the Community of Madrid, Emilio Viciana Duro, together with Ana Ramírez, Deputy Regional Minister of Universities; Marina Villegas, Director General of Research and Innovation; and Federico Morán, Director of Madri+d visited our CryoPresionLab workshop, within the framework of the Science and Innovation Week 2024, together with students from the 3rd year of ESO of the EIS Gran Capitan.
Héctor González, Edwin Herrera, Paula Obladen, Jaime Rumeu, José David Bermúdez and Teresa García, researchers from the IFIMAC Condensed Matter Research Centre and the Department of Condensed Matter Physics of the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), developed this workshop aimed at secondary school students.
In the laboratories of the Faculty of Science of the UAM, the participants explored the fascinating world of low temperatures physics. During the activity, the participants learned about magnetic levitation using superconducting materials, experimented with state changes and discovered gas dynamics using dry ice (carbon dioxide in the solid state). They also investigated how extreme cold affects the optoelectronic properties of semiconductor materials.
As part of the planned activities, we used a vacuum cannon to accelerate a table tennis ball to speeds close to the speed of sound, allowing us to observe the effects of extreme pressure and acceleration on the motion of a light object. We also experimented with liquid nitrogen to understand changes of state and the influence of pressure on matter. Students explored different aspects of fluid physics and how the force that propels rockets into the air is generated, and learned about the behaviour of ideal gases by using balloons inflated with air or helium, varying the pressure at room temperature, to observe how the volume of the gas in the balloon changes, providing a practical approach to the concept of ideal gas.
Each of these activities allowed students to experiment with complex concepts in a visual and hands-on way, introducing them to the exciting world of experimental physics in a fun and educational way.
This activity has been funded by CEX2023-001316-M
