Proefstuderen Applied Physics

There were 26 applications this year. These secondary school pupils wanted to ‘taste’ the Programma Applied Physics. Because of the large number, it was necessary to split the group into two. Both groups were allocated their own supervisor for the whole programme.
A student also acted as anchorman for the joint activities, such as receiving the guests, lunch and a drink afterwards. The two groups followed the same activities, but in a different order.
Maricha Reedijk (academic counsellor) was also present during the lunch to answer any questions from the pupils.

The pupils participated in the following activities on Proefstuderen:
Lecture on physics in the merry-go-round and a visit to the roundabout
How does rotation affect forces? Is it fun to play billiards in a roundabout and what happens if you throw a ball in a roundabout? What is the Coriolis effect? Where do you come across this in everyday life? All these questions were answered in this lecture. After an explanation, pupils could experience for themselves how different things are if one’s environment rotates!

Laboratory course: Interference and Diffraction
Research is also a part of the AP programme. AP students carry out regular laboratory assignments right from the first year. Laser light, temperatures of -270 degrees Celsius, radioactive substances and electrical systems are all used. This session gives the pupils a foretaste of these laboratory exercises.

Demonstration by the Acoustics research group
Amongst other things, the Acoustics research group has developed hearing spectacles. These spectacles enable people who are hard of hearing to pick up specific sounds (something that regular hearing aids have difficulty with). Wave field synthesis is also handled during this guided tour. It is possible to play sound in 3D through a row of loudspeakers. It is just as though you are standing in between the instruments!

The day ended with a drink and snack and the handing out of the certificates.
It was a successful day!

Petra Berkelaar
Marketing en Communicatie TNW