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Physics need no longer be incomprehensible

PUDUCHERRY: Imagine learning physics in a fun filled and simple manner! With easy methods at hand, physics principles are no longer incomprehensible, and appear rather simple to teachers and students.

Meet South Pierre Fontes, retired professor of physics from the University of Paris, who has mastered the concepts. His aim is to remove science from the laboratory and show it as a part of everyday life. He was here to give demonstrations of experiments to a group of teachers during the National Science Day celebrations organised by the Pondicherry Science Forum.

“Experiments in physics have been made simple with no use of physics materials. Kitchen utensils and toys can demonstrate the principles of the subject,” Mr. Fontes said.

Already, the experiments have been demonstrated in a number of schools. “It involves cheap materials and I can show atmospheric pressure with these. The experiments deal with mechanics and can be demonstrated by spinning, rubbing system, vibration and resonance,” he added.

Last year, a three-day training programme on these experiments was held for teachers from Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

With an aim to popularise science, Mr. Fontes said people were unaware that physics was around them.

The University of Paris, along with the Pondicherry Science Forum, is organising a ‘Make Science’ competition for students of Standards VII, VIII, IX and XI since last year.

“Students from government schools are participating in the competition. Around 27 projects were submitted and the evaluation was done by the university. Of this, 12 teams were selected. They will interact with the jury through video conference, and the first three projects would be selected,” a spokesman of the forum said.

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