Presented by: Professor Allan Franklin

Abstract: Scientists need no convincing that experimental or observational evidence plays an essential role in science. In this talk I will examine the idea of “good experiments,” those that provide such evidence. Experiments may be good is several ways: 1) methodological-good reasons provided for belief in the results, 2) conceptual—theory-confirmation, refutation, call for new theory, 3) technical—more accurate or precise measurement than had been done previously, 4) pedagogical—useful for teaching a subject. I will illustrate this with three examples from the history of physics: 1) Mendel’s experiments on plant hybridization, 2) the experiment that demonstrated parity non-conservation, the violation of space-reflection symmetry or left-right symmetry, by C.S. Wu and collaborators, and 3) the experiment of Ellis and Wooster that showed that the energy spectrum of electrons emitted in beta decay was continuous, and that led to Pauli’s suggestion of the neutrino.

The Department of Physics proudly presents the Saturday Physics Series, lectures geared toward high school students and adults to highlight the exciting research and practical potential of physics. 

All lectures are free and open to the public.