Australian Synchrotron Visit

Recently, Unit 1 and 2 Physics students had the incredible opportunity to visit the Australian Synchrotron, one of Australia’s most significant pieces of scientific infrastructure.

From the outside, the Australian Synchrotron resembles a roofed football stadium. However, inside it is a vastly different scene. Instead of grass and seating, there is a large circular ring housing an electron travelling at 99.9997% the speed of light.

This high-speed electron generates powerful beams of light, one million times brighter than the sun, which are utilised at individual experimental facilities to examine the molecular and atomic details of a wide range of materials.

During their visit, the students learned about the advanced techniques employed at the synchrotron, which are pivotal to research in various critical fields, including health and medical sciences, food safety, environmental studies, biotechnology, nanotechnology, energy, mining, agriculture, advanced materials and cultural heritage.

This visit was an invaluable experience for the students, providing them with a firsthand look at cutting-edge scientific research and technology. It highlighted the practical applications of their physics studies and inspired many to consider careers in scientific research and related fields.

Christopher Dale
Head of Physics