Chemistry and biochemistry Professor David Nesbitt will kick off the 2000-2001 University of Colorado at Boulder CU Wizards season with plenty of booms and fizzles as he presents "Fun with Molecules," Saturday, Sept. 30, at 9:30 a.m. in the Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry Building, room 140.
Professor Nesbitt聮s show will shed light on the wonders of chemical reactions with several experiments, like turning a pickle into a light bulb and generating light without heat 聳 just like fireflies.
"The show will have plenty of opportunities for kids to be involved, while learning about chemistry," Nesbitt said. "One of the experiments causes hydrogen balloons to explode and demonstrates the principles of fireworks, while another one shows chemical reactions that make electrical currents flow."
The hour-long show will delve into the world of chemistry, demonstrating how and why chemical reactions happen, and how people control them, for example, in catalytic converters for automobile engine exhaust. It also will explore various compounds like sugar and carbon dioxide and the elements that compose them.
"Fun with Molecules" is free and open to the public.
CU Wizards is an annual program that introduces the audience to astronomy, chemistry and physics and is geared toward students in grades 5 through 9.
Free parking is available only in lot 436, which is east of the engineering center; lot 065, which is on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Broadway; and lot 308, which is south of Regent Drive and west of Kittredge Loop Road.
Parking is restricted due to the CU football game. Closer parking is available in the Euclid Avenue Autopark for a nominal fee.
Anyone with a disability or special need should notify the physics office at (303) 492-6952 a few days prior to the show. For general information about the CU Wizards series call (303) 492-4318.
The remainder of the 2000-2001 CU Wizards program schedule follows.
* "Biology of Muscles in Motion," Professor Todd Gleeson and Senior Instructor Mark Osadjan of environmental, population and organismic biology, Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m. in Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry, room 140.
* "Chemistry in the Kitchen," Assistant Professor Janet de Grazia of chemical engineering, Nov. 25, 9:30 a.m. in Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry, room140.
* "Liquid Crystals," Professors Noel Clark and Joe Maclennan of physics, and Professor Dave Walba of chemistry and biochemistry, Dec. 30, 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics, room G1B30.
* "Hot and Cold," Professor John Taylor of physics, Jan. 27, 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics, room G1B30.
* "Biochemistry for Kids," Assistant Professor Debbie Wuttke of chemistry and biochemistry, Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. in Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry, room 140.
* "The Physics of Music," Professor James Faller of physics, March 31, 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics, room G1B30.
* "Fireflies, Diapers and Exploding Hydrogen Balloons; Chemistry in Action," Professor Tarek Sammakia of chemistry and biochemistry, April 28, 9:30 a.m. in Cristol Chemistry and Biochemistry, room 140.
* "Boom! The Physics of Sound and Air Pressure," Senior Instructor Michael Dubson of physics, May 26, 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics, room G1B30.
* "Black Holes," Professor Andrew Hamilton of astrophysics and JILA, June 16, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in Fiske Planetarium.