The sounds of music -- how they are created and the rules of physics they follow -- will be the subject of the May 30 CU Wizards science show for children to be held at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Physics Professor Jim Faller will use a group of homemade instruments to demonstrate various aspects of "The Physics of Music." The instruments will be constructed from a wide range of materials including bamboo, garden hose, plastic pipe, redwood, funnels and doorknobs.
The free Saturday show is designed for children in grades 5 through 9 and begins at 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics room G-030 on the Boulder campus. Duane Physics is located on Colorado Avenue south of Folsom Stadium.
"I hope the kids will leave with the understanding that music and science are connected," Faller said. "Hopefully they'll rush home and make an instrument of their own."
Faller has presented previous CU Wizard shows on the physics of sports.
Faller has taught physics at CU-Boulder since 1971. He is also a fellow of JILA, a joint institute of CU-Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Free parking for the show is available in the Regent Drive Autopark (lot 436), lots 169 and 396 off of Folsom Street, and in part of lot 378 southeast of the stadium. The Euclid Avenue Autopark near the Chemistry building and lot 360 immediately east of Duane Physics will be open to visitors for $1 to $1.25 per hour.
Anyone with a disability or special need should notify the physics department at 492-6952 a few days in advance of the show. For general information about the CU Wizards program and schedule, call (303) 492-4318.
The next CU Wizards science show is June 13 at 10 a.m. in Fiske Planetarium. Professor Katy Garmany of astrophysical and planetary sciences and JILA will present "Finding Your Way Around the Sky."