1. The Nobel Physics in Physics "for ... generating attosecond pulses of light ...”
Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light, about 250 attoseconds, that can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy.  The names are in alphabetical order, in fact it was Anne L'Huillier, who in 1987 discovered that an infrared laser beam fired into a gas produced UV photons. These frequencies were called overtones.  L'Huillier continued to explore the phenomenon, establishing a theoretical understanding, which was a foundation for the next experimental breakthrough.
An attosecond is 10^-18 of a second.  The diagram at the right shows that the attosecond is as far from the duration of a heartbeat as the age of the universe.
In that time light travels 75 nm, which is less than the wavelength of UV.
The process is described in the figure below.
The electric field of the laser light distorts the atom's field, allowing an electron to tunnel out.  The electron gains energy from the laser field, but when the field turns, the electron drops back to the atom generating a high energy photon.
Click here for the popular science background explanation (5 pages) of the Nobel Prize and here for the more scientific background (15 pages).
Journal articles of value include: Physics World, Physics Today, each has additional support articles.
These pulses have been used to explore the detailed physics of atoms and molecules, and they have potential applications in areas from electronics to medicine.

2. The Nobel Prize for Chemistry has a strong physics theme: “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”.
The Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been won by Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov for “the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”.

Quantum dots are extremely small particles just a few atoms in size and their properties allow them to emit light at specific wavelengths. Since the 1930s physicists had known that, in theory, quantum effects could arise in nanoparticles that would give them unusual characteristics, but for decades it was difficult to create such materials in the laboratory.  That changed in the early 1980s, when Ekimov, who had a background in semiconductors, succeeded in creating size-dependent quantum effects in coloured glass.
Click here for the popular science background explanation.

3. Posters for Nobel Prizes
Every year, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences produces Nobel posters to explain the prizes in an easily accessible manner. These posters can be ordered, free of charge, in two formats: 70×100 cm and A3. Click here to order.  The 2023 posters will be distributed in December. Previous years' posters can be downloaded as a pdf.  The posters are great for classroom walls. 4. Website Update for 2024
With teaching of this year's Year 12 course all but over, the Resources pages for Units 3 and 4 on the Vicphysics Website have now been updated to reflect the curriculum for 2024.  In particular the Unit 4 content has been split up into separate webpages for 'Light as a Wave', 'Light as a Particle', 'Photons and Electrons' and 'Special Relativity', with the Practical Investigation unchanged.
If you have any activities you would like to share or websites that have been useful, please pass them on.
Planning for 2024. 
There is a Units 3 and 4 Course Planning Day on Friday, 10th November.  See 5e) below for details.
Colin Hopkins has prepared a course comparison document with a table of the dot points from Units 3 and 4 in the 2024 study design, each with a comment on how it is different from the equivalent dot point in the 2023 course, if at all.  This is on the Course Planning webpage on our website.
There is also Year 12 Teaching program for 2024 with week by week listing of content and practical activities. 5. An Energy Unit Fueled by Climate Change
The AAPT's journal 'The Physics Teacher' features in the current edition an open article titled 'An Energy Unit Fueled by Climate Change'.  There is a full description of the unit and access to the resources. The unit is designed to be done in about 2 hours of class time. It could be used from Year 7 to Year 10.
The unit addresses three topics:

• the difference between defining energy as a source, e.g. oil, wind turbines, etc and energy as a form, e.g. chemical, kinetic and electric.
• the contradictory definitions of energy conservation, and
• the interplay between energy flow and the carbon cycle.

In particular, students will:

• Connect energy forms and energy usage,
• Connect energy resources with forms of energy,
• Document and analyse energy transfer with charts and
• Connect energy usage to climate change

There are recommended extensions, as well as student reactions.  There is an extensive list of references including the Teacher's Climate Guide and articles. 4. Events for Students

a) Physics Days at Luna Park in 2024: Update
Earlier this year over 2800 students attended the four days at Luna Park, so Luna Park has offered five days for next year.  The dates are Monday 4th March to Friday 8th March.
Luna Park bookings will not open until December, but schools can now seek approval for their school administrations.  The student fee will be $31.50 and a deposit of 30% is required to confirm the booking.
Aerobatic displays have been requested, but confirmation is not received until February.
The worksheets have not been updated since they were first written in 2004.  The terminology for forces has changed and there have been some content changes, so the worksheets will be updated in Term 4.

There are several phone apps that can be used to record motion at Luna Park including Physphox, SparkVue, EasySense, Vernier and Physics Toolbox.  For safety reasons phones cannot be held during the ride and must be securely pocketed.  A vest for a phone or datalogger can be booked, more details later.

 Ann-Marie Pendrill from Lund University in Sweden has written a number of articles on amusement park physics that are available on 'open access'.  This one is on 'Smart phones and Newton's First Law in escalators and roller coasters'.  Over 20 more can be found by going to the search key at the top of the article, typing in her name and clicking 'open access only' down on the left.

b) Astrochemistry – identifying the molecules present in interstellar space. What’s out there?, 6:30pm, Thurs, 26th Oct, University of Melbourne.
Topic: Interstellar Chemistry and the Mystery of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Speaker: Prof. Evan Bieske, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne
Abstract: When light travels to earth from distant stars it is absorbed by molecules in the intervening space. A long-standing mystery is connected with the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), more than 500 absorption lines in the visible part of the spectrum, which until recently could not be connected with any known atom or molecule. Explaining the DIBs, which are presumably associated with exotic molecules, represents one the greatest challenges in molecular spectroscopy. Speculation has abounded – including claims that the DIB carriers are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules, carbon chains, dipole-bound anions, porphyrins, or colour centres in crystals. So far, despite intense experimental efforts, none of these candidate molecules has explained any of the DIBs. It was not until 2016 that five of the bands were assigned to the buckminsterfullerene cation, C60+. What of the remaining 500 DIBs? There is something out there, but what is it?
Venue: Glyn Davis Theatre, University of Melbourne
Catering: Canapés and Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream from 6pm
To Book: Click here.

c) Spooktacular Space - Things That Go Bump in the Dark!, 5:30pm - 8pm, Tues 31st Oct, Swinburne University
Join the Swinburne team for an exhilarating journey through the cosmos as they present "Spooktacular Space: Things That Go Bump in the Dark," a Public Lecture co-organised by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav), ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter
Particle Physics, and the Centre of Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University.

Event Highlights include:

• Panel Discussion on mysterious cosmic phenomena
• Delectable themed canapés, grazing platters and drinks
• Dress Up for Halloween (Costumes Optional)
• Giveaways and a costume contest
• Stargazing with telescopes on the terrace (if the weather permits)
• Networking in the Sky Lounge *sort of under the stars

*This is a FREE event, registration is required for catering purposes.  Open to all ages - Families are welcome!
Panel: Prof Matthew Bailes, Dr Yuanming Wang, Renee Kay and Dr Sara Webb as MC.
To book and more details, click here.

d) DARK MATTERS: Interactive Tour, Science Gallery University of Melbourne
In this facilitator-led experience, students will be guided through the DARK MATTERS exhibition. In collaboration with Arts at CERN and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics, DARK MATTERS explores the fundamental essence of life and the universe, and how so much of it remains a mystery to us. This exhibition deep dives into the unseen, the unknown and the unspoken – will we ever fully understand the forces at play in our own lives, both on an individual level and on a planetary and universal scale?
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours.
Times and Dates: Between 11am and 5pm, Tues to Friday until 2nd Dec
Cost: $50 service fee plus $8 per student or $4 for low-SES and regional schools
Venue: Science Gallery, 700 Swanston St, Carlton
To Book: Click here.

e) STEM Schools Roadshow, 27th Nov - 8th Dec
University presenters will travel to low SES and regional schools, delivering activities to inspire high school students to study science.
Science Delivery aims to encourage students from a diverse range of backgrounds to study science and go to University, and ensure any barriers they are facing do not stop them from achieving their career goals. The program is presented by Bachelor of Science students from the University of Melbourne, who have all overcome challenges to achieve success in their studies. 
The program is aimed at students in Year 7 – Year 10
Dates: 27th Nov - 1st Dec (Melbourne), 4th - 8th Dec (Warrnambool region)
Cost: Free
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours for 1 to 2 classes
Style: Students will firstly gather together to watch the science demonstrations, and then break off into small groups to work through science activities. They will then gather together again to hear more from the presenters and to wrap up the session.
For more details, click here.

5. Events for Teachers 
 a) Physics at 5. An opportunity to network
Wanting to bounce around some lesson ideas, mull over a tricky question, or unpack a physics concept?
Vicphysics is hosting a weekly, half-hour online Zoom drop-in session on Tuesdays at 5:00pm.
Great opportunity to check in with other colleagues about any aspect of Physics teaching and learning!  The discussions will be moderated by members of the Vicphysics Committee.
This is the zoom link. The Meeting ID is 815 1456 7258 and the Passcode: 459295. The Waiting Room will be used.
The same link, ID and passcode will be used for future Tuesday gatherings.
Each meeting is planned to go for about 30 minutes.

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8.   Physics News from the Web
Items selected from the bulletin of the Institute of Physics (UK).
Each item below includes the introductory paragraphs and a web link to the rest of the article.
a) The two faces of a wartime aerospace engineer: the controversial tale of Wernher von Braun
The review of a book 'Depravity's Rainbow by Lewis Bush, that explores two narratives. The first begins with the US flag planted on the Moon, and works its way backwards to the end of the Second World War, and von Braun joining the rocket team at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was there as part of Operation Paperclip – a secret US intelligence program to recruit German scientists and engineers after the collapse of Nazi Germany.

The second narrative, meanwhile, starts with a young von Braun. It follows his life as he joined the Verein für Raumschiffahrt (Space Flight Society) and became involved in the Germany Army. He then played an instrumental role in the development of the Aggregate series of rockets, which would end up including the devastating V-2 missile – a fact that secured the Allied forces’ interest in him as the Second World War came to a close.
The author notes the inherent dichotomy in von Braun’s joining the SS in 1940 only to go on, in 1965, to passionately lecture segregationist Alabama governor George Wallace on racism.
b) Spinning a sustainable fashion revolution: meet the physicists turning wood into clothes
You might be somewhat shocked to know that, according to a recent European Union (EU) study, worldwide fashion and clothing is responsible for 10% of global CO₂ emissions  , Janne Poranen – a physicist at the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)  – decided to do something about it in 2014. As head of biomaterials at VTT he wondered if it was possible to create more sustainable textiles; ones made with minimal water, without the use of polluting chemicals and with negligible CO₂ emissions. With this in mind, he and physicist Juha Salmela. co-founded Spinnova, a company that today transforms cellulose from wood into textile fibre without using any chemicals.
c) Ukrainian scientists attempt to continue their work following the ravages of war
During the opening salvos of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022, academics across Europe quickly took to university mailing lists to discuss how to help their colleagues in Ukraine. While some Ukrainians managed to move to safer places across the continent, others decided to stay at home. Some 18 months on from the start of the conflict, Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv are still being attacked, but a semblance of stability is beginning to emerge.
The scars left by the Russian army as it advanced to the outskirts of Kharkiv in the first days of the war are still noticeable.  KhNU’s Astronomical Institute operates an observational station in Chuhuiv, 70 km south-east of Kharkiv. It includes a 70 cm optical telescope – which is used for asteroid photometry studies 

 

 

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