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Football fans became physics connoisseurs before Auburn’s Homecoming game against Vanderbilt, with more than 400 people gathering inside and outside the Sciences Center Classroom building to experience physics in action. 

The Department of Physics hosted its annual Gameday Physics event, inviting fans of all ages to explore physics through hands-on activities and demonstrations. The event was held in conjunction with the College of Sciences and Mathematics’ 40th anniversary celebration and tailgate. 

From touching a cloud made from dry ice to watching the sun through a special solar filter, science came alive for football fans and science enthusiasts alike. Visitors could see, touch and even taste scientific principles that often can be difficult to experience in a traditional classroom. 

“Physics is everywhere, including on the football field,” said Allen Landers, chair of the Department of Physics. “Gameday Physics gives us an opportunity to take science out of the classroom and share it with people who might not otherwise attend a science event. When someone interacts with physics and starts asking questions, that’s exactly what we’re hoping to accomplish through Gameday Physics.” 

 

“It was incredible to show people a piece of our universe they’ve never seen before and remind everyone that you don’t need a degree to be a scientist.”

Will Teague, graduate research assistant in the Department of Physics

Landers said the event also provides a valuable experience for the nearly 40 physics students and volunteers who help bring it to life. 

“The other important part of this event is our students,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to share their enthusiasm for physics with the community. Their excitement is contagious, and that’s a big part of why we keep doing this each year and why it’s become an annual tradition.” 

The hands-on exhibits, often led by the department’s graduate students, offered something for everyone, from familiar experiences with waves and motion to some of physics’ more surprising phenomena. 

Visitors could climb aboard the Coriolis Carousel and see how rotation changes the motion of objects, explore wave patterns using Chladni plates and experience the invisible forces behind a superconducting track. Other demonstrations included the Van de Graaff generator, Reuben’s Tube, a cloud chamber, bicycle wheel, jumping ring and Theremin, an instrument played without physical contact. 

Child with stem activity.

Outside, the sun was showing off, offering an especially memorable glimpse to see sunspots and solar flares through a specialized solar filter. 

“Our goal with the Solar Spotlight table was to give people a direct window into the dynamic nature of our Sun. Using the solar telescope, sun spotter and spectroscopes, we were able to share live views of sunspots, solar filaments and light spectra with curious minds,” said Will Teague, graduate research assistant in the Department of Physics. “It was incredible to show people a piece of our universe they’ve never seen before and remind everyone that you don’t need a degree to be a scientist.” 

And for those who wanted to get a little closer to the action, Touch a Cloud allowed visitors to reach into clouds created by dry ice and water, while liquid nitrogen ice cream provided a delicious demonstration of extreme temperatures. 

“This is really cool. I love the exposure this is providing to the kids,” said Lindsay Henley, a 2012 Harbert College of Business alumna who attended the event. 

Gameday Physics has become a Homecoming tradition for kids of all ages — an experience that brings Auburn families, alumni and fans together around scientific discovery.