Society of Physics Students makes a strong comeback

Members of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) were left pondering the implications of a recent discovery that found a particle traveling faster than the speed of light.

If the discovery were proved true, it would dispel one of Albert Einstein’s most widely accepted theories – that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light.

“Saying something is traveling faster than the speed of light discounts everything Einstein worked on,” said SPS President Caroline Bartlett. “Quantum and modern physics would be changed.”

“I started thinking about not only what it means, but how it will change physics,” Bartlett added. “Math would break, for special relativity anyway. We would have imaginary numbers.”

Physics professor Emily Maher, who is the SPS adviser, was also intrigued by the potential impact of the discovery.

“It’s very interesting,” Maher said. “It’s the first revolutionary finding that’s come out in physics in a long time.”

Although the discovery is considered groundbreaking, Bartlett and SPS member Jonny Carbaugh said scientists still need time to completely verify the results.

“My first reaction [to the news] was, ‘This is wrong,’” Carbaugh said. “It would be a really big headache for pretty much every physicist in the world.”

“It just needs confirmation, which takes time,” Bartlett added.

The College’s SPS is part of a national organization of students interested in physics and related fields. Maher explained that although the MCLA chapter has existed for many years, it was inactive for a long time because of lack of interest.

“We’ve had it for a while but it’s been dormant,” Maher said. “Students got together and decided to start it up again.”

In the spring of 2010, Bartlett, Bryan O’Keefe, Jesse Robillard and Marc Simon spearheaded the effort to bring back SPS. They wanted a science club on campus that focused more on physics and mathematics, Bartlett said.

Teaming up with the Outdoors Club, SPS organized a camping/stargazing trip as one of their first events, and is planning another for November, Bartlett said.

“We’ve been trying to make things fun and include other clubs,” she said.

The society has about 15 members, Bartlett said, a number she is hoping to increase.

“We want more people to be involved,” she said. “We’re trying to get younger students [involved] but they’re kind of shy. Everyone is welcome.”

Bartlett and Carbaugh described SPS meetings as a place where interested students can gather and discuss the latest topics in physics.

“You’ll have the most informative discussion on time travel you’ll ever take part in,” Carbaugh said.

The society has also been attending some physics-related lectures and seminars at Williams College.

“It’s a new thing that we’re doing but we’re trying to make it regular,” Carbaugh said.

Bartlett also said SPS is working on building something physics-related to display in Bowman Hall. One possibility is what she described as an “optics light maze,” equipped with lasers and mirrors.

“We want to make our department seem fun,” Bartlett said.

The Society of Physics Students meets Fridays at 2 p.m. in Bowman 105.

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