Event 2: Sound + Science Symposium

On Friday, May 3, 2019, I had the pleasure of attending the Sound + Science Symposium in the UCLA California NanoSystems Institute Presentation Space Auditorium. The first presentation that I attended was on the Sounds of Quantum Entanglement by James Gimzewski. In this presentation, we learned about waves that occur at the quantum level. The interesting fact that I learned is that everything in the world has operated in terms of waves. Even in solid objects like gold you can see waves in the top layer. Even in some sample of carbon monoxide, you can see waves at the quantum level. I thought it was really interesting how they were able to rearrange these carbon monoxide molecules into the UCLA logo. 

 Another interesting fact that I learned was how you can hear a monarch by using nanotech. You could record the sound of its wings by using a high powered laser. Because everything operates in waves, being able to do things like measure its sound with lasers. 

            The Second presentation that I attended was Let There Be Light; and Sound by Seth Putterman. This presentation was somewhat of a continuation of the one prior. Professor Putterman described the two forms of waves that exist; vectors (light) and scalars (sound). We learned that when it comes to light, there are pressure points in all equal directions. I also learned that it is possible for sound waves to create light. This happens when the pressure of sound finds a path to turn vibrations into a vector. This process occurs in nature through sonoluminescence. I learned a lot about waves and how systems operate at the quantum level. Although we can't see these processes occurring, they are present and dictate most of our lives. The experiment that I thought was the most interested was when he brought out the “light stick” and was able to create a flash of light in the water by releasing the sound waves at a high speed.