Scientific discussion and simulations of gravitational field waves were in full display at Whittier College's Physics Club event hosted on February 22 at Hartley house that honored the recent the recent discovery of gravitational waves in space by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory Physics. Associate Professor of Physics Serkan Zorba encouraged scientific exploration as he talked about the significance gravitational waves introduced by Albert Einstein’s through his 1915 general theory of relativity.
Zorba explained how this scientific finding presents an unprecedented new window into our understanding of the universe.
“Having the capability of detecting these gravitational waves validates this leading theory which is a major frontier in the field of astrophysics,” Zorba said. “Gravitational waves explain this idea that gravity warps and creates these disturbances in space-time. We are able to understand through this theory how mass tells spaces-time how to curve and move and how planets go around orbit or move around a parabola.”
According to Zorba, gravitational waves have great penetrating power and are fundamental in our ability to understand what space is made of, and how our universe originated. “We are able to look at the celestial sphere and thus further explore big bang cosmology, black hole physics that explain our ability to send man to the moon and satellites into orbit.”
The concept of space-time was demonstrated by Zorba using a trampoline in which balls orbited around its surface. “You see that the surface bends and curves and that bending affects the motion of stuff around you,” Zorba explained as students huddles around. “Look at how their paths curve it creates this rippling effect, this oscillation or disturbance in the space time and fabric.”
Physics Club President Amanda Harrison '16 shared what motivated her to help coordinate this event. “It gives students the opportunity to learn more about another discipline and specific topics in physics such as general relativity,” Harrison said. “Since this is such big news in the world of physics, it is important that students know what it going on.”
The physics and math double major discovered two galaxies utilizing the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope last summer while studying at the Arecibo Observatory run by Cornell University in Puerto Rico. “My experience here at Whittier College and my research experience at Arecibo Observatory has inspired me to continue research in astrophysics,“ Harrison said. “Through my senior seminar, I will be studying how black-holes, which are these whirlpools of mass orbit and the convergence of them in space and time.”
First year and English major Patrice Gomez, shared her experience at this interactive event. “It definitely increased my interest in physics,” Gomez said. “I always thought astronomy was just stars and planets but this introduced me to a different way of looking at how the world works. I see that findings like these have opened up a lot of opportunities for future exploration.”
by Lightmary Flores '17
