The Quantum

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OFOFOF THETHETHE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES ̊̊̊ COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE OFOFOF SCIENCE SCIENCE SCIENCE ̊̊̊ DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OFOFOF PHYSICAL SCIENCESPHYSICAL SCIENCESPHYSICAL SCIENCES

Volume 1Volume 1Volume 1◦ ◦ ◦ Issue 1Issue 1Issue 1◦◦◦ THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE PUP PHYSICS SOCIETY THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE PUP PHYSICS SOCIETY THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE PUP PHYSICS SOCIETY ◦◦◦JanuaryJanuaryJanuary—June 2011June 2011June 2011

Physics is everything. A requirement of life. The key to excellence.

The path that gives light to everyone. It reflects to-tality. It brings anybody

to higher excitation level either in

medicine, education, Industry, and

research.

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1st Prize

DOSTDOSTDOST PNRIPNRIPNRI NIPNIPNIP NISMEDNISMEDNISMED PAGASAPAGASAPAGASA PHILVOCSPHILVOCSPHILVOCS St. LUKESSt. LUKESSt. LUKES DENRDENRDENR

Engineers andEngineers andEngineers and TechnologistsTechnologistsTechnologists MedicalMedicalMedical

ProfessionalsProfessionalsProfessionals

Government and Corporate Government and Corporate Government and Corporate Other Other Other ScientistsScientistsScientists

PHYSIC IST

PHYSIC IST

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ISSN ISSN ISSN 224322432243---852185218521

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Converging Relative Minds

January—June 2011

QuantumQuantumQuantum

I consider the publication of the maiden issue of QuantumQuantumQuantumQuantum as one of the major achievements of the PUP Physics Society. This official news magazine that features inspiring articles ignites the desire of BS Physics students to become great scientists who will serve as pillars in na-tion building.

To editorial staff and adviser of QuantumQuantumQuantumQuantum, as well as to the officers and members of PhySoc, MY CONGRATULATIONS. You have proven that in unity there is strength and power. Let QuantumQuantumQuantumQuantum be an instrument in bringing out the best in everyone of you. Keep on promoting the importance of Physics in this modern world of technology.

DR. EVELYN M. MATCHETE Chairperson, Department of Physical Sciences

QUANTUM

Converging Relative Minds

Dr. Zenaida R. Sarmiento

Dr. Evelyn M. Matchete

Dr. Edgardo A. Latoza

Publication Consultants

Ron Louie G. Palacio

Editor-in-Chief

Debbie V. Velasquez

Managing Editor

Lorenzo P. Lopez Jr.

Associate Editor

Ma. Angela B. Faustino

Feature Editor

Jona Mae M. Dalisay

Copy Editor

Ricky G. Ampoloquio

Cartoonist

Mr. Reynold V. Luna

Publication Adviser

ABOUT THE

COVER

What lies ahead

the BS Physics

Program? Well,

this is the

answer.

Annaliza M. Amo, Ronald A. Anonuevo,

Jocel B. Bartolay, Aldrin S. Bendal,

John Paul A. Besagas, Debinya B. Buenafe,

Michaelray Cainglet, Joseph A. De Mesa,

Ryan T. Diocampo, Kevin P. Domingo, April

Angelique E. Dominguiano, Kate Ann R.

Esguerra, Jobelle J. Gimeno, Roma S. Lopez,

Rheymar T. Morales, Micah Ann G. Padua,

John Patrick L. Porcadilla, Louie Jane R.

Rico, Arianne Gail S. Rivera,

Bhenz Rodriguez, Yuta Louie Rola,

Joniel F. Rumbawa,

Kerve M. Supnet, and Karlo J. Timbal

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Co

nce

pt

by

: A

rve

n I

. C

afe

I congratulate the Physics Society in coming up with its

official news magazine, Quantum.Quantum.Quantum.Quantum.

This is a venue where the physics students can express

their ideas, display their accomplishments and share their knowl-

edge and research findings on how valuable physics is on the

lives of men and their well-being. Quantum, Quantum, Quantum, Quantum, the magazine, is an innovative move to-

wards encouraging students to be interested in physics and go into this field. To the men

and women who never get tired in providing guidance and support to our physics society,

may your tribe increase. To the editorial staff of the Quantum, Quantum, Quantum, Quantum, keep up the good work

and more power!

2

DR. ZENAIDA R. SARMIENTO Dean, College of Science

MR. REYNOLD V. LUNA Adviser, Quantum

It is with great pride that the Physics Society is pre-

senting this 1st issue of its news magazine, the Quantum. Quantum. Quantum. Quantum. This

material is a product of the collaborative efforts of the society

members, the PUP physics students and faculty who all recog-

nize the value of physics in man’s life. The articles published

here are expected to awaken the students’ interest in this

branch of science.

I would like to thank the editorial staff of the Quantum Quantum Quantum Quantum and those who made

this publication possible. To the PUP administration, please accept our endless appre-

ciation to your support to the cause of our Physics Society.

January—June 2011

Message from the Dean 2

The Chairperson of the Department of Physical Sciences 2 The Quantum Adviser 2 Advanced Physics Training: Its Probability and Advantage 3

News

PhySoc Ushers Head Start 2011 4 CS Holds Recognition Day 4 SMPP Accredits PhySoc 4 Physics 3-Day Sale 5 Year End Means New Beginning 5

Basic Mass Integration 6

PhySoc Holds Freshmen Orientation 6

ASTROCAMP and NIP HOUSE Tour 7

PhySoc Amazing Race Held 7

PhySoc at 13: A Total Maturity 8 Swim for Fun 9 New Materials for Future Physicists 9 PhySoc Academic Achievers 9

Opinions

PAGASA: Boon or Bane? 10 Physics Society: Continuing … 10 Weather Forecasting… 11

Features

Don’t Call Him Sir 12 SHIELD: Clash of the Houses 13 Jr. Agham Meets the Nation 14

Convection and an Insight to the RB Planet 14 PhySoc SWORD Strikes for Excellence 15 Is Planking Fascinating 15 Physics First Class 16 DOTA: Physics Mode 17 Fear Not: Radioactivity. 17 X-Men: First Class 18

Literary

Love is Like… 19 Tomorrow’s SketchUp 19 NIPians 20 Breaking the Egg Shell 21 Game Over! 22 Dalawang Taong Paglalakbay 22 A Physicist 23 Nature’s Blessings 23 Liknayismo 23 Pagtupad sa Pangarap 23

Researches

Fabrication and Characterization of… 24 Shattered Glass Door Probe… 26 Freezing Hot Water 26 Pendulum 26 In Furnace! 27

Notes

My hymn, My discipline 28 PhySoc Kasama Mo 28


Quantum is a semi-annual news magazine of the PUP Physics Society. Any con-

tributions, suggestions/comments can be forwarded to the editorial board at N609 6th

Floor of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Look for Ron Louie G. Palacio.

Contact information

E-mail: [email protected]

Mobile no.: 09176081964

Landline no.: 716-78-32 to 45

VISIONVISION

QuantumQuantum, the official publication of the PUP Physics Society, envisions itself in becoming , the official publication of the PUP Physics Society, envisions itself in becoming

an avenue to relay news and information about the local and international physics com-an avenue to relay news and information about the local and international physics com-

munities.munities.

MISSIONMISSION

QuantumQuantum commits itself to provide students with information through unbiased journal-commits itself to provide students with information through unbiased journal-

ism and relevant news and features in science community and researches.ism and relevant news and features in science community and researches.

The relative importance of teaching in the physics enter-

prise has increased dramatically in recent years. A larger fraction of

available academic positions requires people inclined to teaching-

science –related courses and subjects, physics, among others. Even

at research universities, science teaching is now playing a larger role in promotions and

tenure decisions. In this brave new world, a physics graduate student who aspires for an

academic career dares not neglect his graduate training to enhance his teaching capabil-

ity and experience.

Physics is an excellent career major. The key to a successful career in these

changing and unpredictable times is flexibility, that is, the ability to adjust one’s career to

technological and societal changes. Most of what one learns or achieves in physics is

fundamental and enduring. The processes by which science in general and physics in

particular should be taught demand advanced training. The ability to analyze physical

situations in quantitative terms, the mastery of sophisticated mathematical analytical

methods, the skills necessary to handle and use a wide variety of measuring instruments,

the applicability of physics laws and principles in dealing with life and the considerable

capacity to use computers and other modern technology will definitely provide the

knowledge-provider or the instructor, the confidence and enthusiasm to share himself

his skill, knowledge and experience, and thus, contribute to the development of future

Filipino scientists or science-inclined students.

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is very much in a position to de-

velop further physics-trained individuals. It can offer an advanced course in physics, spe-

cifically through its Graduate School and Open University. Technologies as the internet,

videotape, telephone and the like are easily accessible nowadays, be it at house or in

school. Appropriate skills, competencies and desirable values can be developed thus

boosting the teaching capability of the concerned professionals, the physicists. This train-

ing is advantageous for it will redound to better-trained students who can contribute

and become assets to the nation.

Take affordable advanced training in Physics and make the difference in nation-

building.

Ad v a n c e d P h y s i c s T r a i n i n g : A d v a n c e d P h y s i c s T r a i n i n g : A d v a n c e d P h y s i c s T r a i n i n g : A d v a n c e d P h y s i c s T r a i n i n g :

I t s P r o b a b i l i t y a n d Ad v a n t a g eI t s P r o b a b i l i t y a n d Ad v a n t a g eI t s P r o b a b i l i t y a n d Ad v a n t a g eI t s P r o b a b i l i t y a n d Ad v a n t a g e

DR. EDGARDO A. LATOZA

3

January—June 2011

SMPP Accredits PhySoc

Manila City-April 30, 2011, the

Polytechnic University of the

Philippines Physics Society

(PhySoc) went to the Samahan

ng Mag-aaral sa Pagpapaunlad

ng Pisika (SMPP) for the ac-

creditation of the society. Jowi

P. Cruz started the presenta-

tion by introducing the univer-

sities to the panel schools: De

La Salle University (DLSU) in

Manila, University of Sto.

Tomas (UST), Ateneo De Ma-

nila University (ADMU) and

University of the Philippines

(UP). The PUP Physics Society

was presented by its president

and vice president ,Kate Ann R.

Esguerra and Lorenzo P. Lopez

Jr., respectively. Then, after a

long time of waiting for the

decision they announced that

PhySoc has been formally ac-

credited under one year pro-

bation.

After the schools’

accreditation, the SMPP de-

cided to proceed to the new

phase of law-making and revi-

sions in its constitution.

This is just the begin-

ning of how we can supervise

the next set of officers next

school annum to continue

achieving the goals and objec-

tives of the society.

-KERVE M. SUPNET

QuantumQuantumQuantum N ew sN ew sN ew s

4

The PUP Physics Society, PhySoc, held

its first activity in this school annum as Head

Start 2011: The Physics Society’s Team Building

with the theme, “Firing Up and Keeping the Mo-

mentum of Excellence in Passion in Leadership”.

The event was conducted last May 14,

Saturday, at Tierra

Fontana 12 Waves

Resort in the city of

San Jose del Monte,

Bulacan. The pro-

gram started with an

opening remark

from the former

society vice presi-

dent, Ms. Lara Jen-

ina A. Gianan, fol-

lowed by a trivia

game- Name Your

Name.

The first talk, given by Hernanie T. Sala-

zar Jr., focused on how to develop leadership

within oneself. He pointed out the keys in suc-

cessful leading as he cited some influential peo-

ple of the history. He also stressed the differ-

ence between management and leadership.

The PhySoc’s former president, Mr.

Raymond C. Ordinario, focused on leadership in

the academe and real world. He broad it up with

the characteristics of a leader and discussed

some leadership styles from his experiences as

the PhySoc president during his term with

bunches of advise for the current officers. He

also gave emphasis on problems that arose in his

term and how he solved them.

Ms. Gianan

discussed the types of

leaders with their

functions. In this con-

nection, she ad-

dressed the reorgani-

zation in the Society.

As an appli-

cation of leadership

talks, games swal-

lowed the whole day.

Team 4 (composed of

Annaliza M. Amo,

Noel Jesus Oliver Jr.,

Ma. Regina Ilarde, Joniel F. Rumbawa, and Karen

Luz Penetrante) was the overall champion.

Participants were given the chance to express their

sparks in leadership through a project planning

workshop and a Tug-of-war game.

The program ended with the awarding of

certificates and tokens to the speakers as formally

closed by the current PhySoc president, Kate Ann R.

Esguerra.

Fire Up. Fire Up. PhySoc with Mr. Reynold V. Luna during the PhySoc with Mr. Reynold V. Luna during the

Team Building at Tierra Fontana.Team Building at Tierra Fontana.

DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

College of Science Recognition Day for

school year 2010-2011 was carried out on March

22, 2011 at the Bulwagang Bonifacio, Ninoy

Aquino Library and Learning Resource

Center of the main campus of Poly-

technic University of the Philippines.

The said program was

headed by the dean of CS, Dr.

Zenaida R. Sarmiento; and the chair-

persons of the college, Dr. Evelyn M.

Machete of the Department of Physi-

cal Sciences, Dr. Lourdes V. Alvarez of

the Department of Biology, Prof. Ber-

nadeth Nobles of the Department of

Mathematics and Statistics, with the

participation of the science faculty.

During the event, Mr. Jeffrey C. de Vero,

a research associate of the University of the Phil-

ippines Diliman Photonics Research Laboratory

and also a member of CS faculty

gave an inspirational talk. He shared

some of his experiences when he

was a BS Physics student of the col-

lege and delivered motivating mes-

sages.

Mr. De Vero’s talk was fol-

lowed by the awarding of students

who achieved academic excellence

and shown good performances and

leadership. This included giving of spe-

cial awards to those who won the uni-

continued on page 9

Official logo of the College of

Science

This activity is the be-

ginning of a year of excellence

for the society as it lights up

the path towards totality.

JOHN PAUL A. BESAGAS

January—June 2011


5

Day 1. To open the wholeness of Physics Days, a blissful

mass headed by the

University pastor was

held at the PUP inter-

faith chapel. Right af-

ter, a parade was

formed highlighting

physics advocacies be-

tween the hous” e divi-

sions: Einstein, New-

ton, Galileo and Max-

well. Continuing the

day, an activity called

“Physikalan”, a sports

event was set with

games such as Dragon Head and Tail, Patintero, Dodge Ball, and

Agawan Base.

Day 2. An exhibit was organized by the society inviting

all students and professors. This shared the full spectrum of Phys-

ics with its blasting set-up of experiments and presentation. With

ample time, continuity games were battled. The brainiac game

chess was held at the University freedom park with human

pieces. Another was the Treasure Hunting Quest with gold boxes

giving Physics puzzles before garnering their fortunes.

Day 3. It was a battle between brains and beauties. On the first

half of the day, an Academic Contest was held at the E611 labora-

tory with participants grouped from all year levels. The team of

Angelie J. Liamzon conquered the outrage of mathematical and

conceptual Physics. The “Little Mr. and Ms. Physics” started late

afternoon. It was attended by Dr. Edgardo A. Latoza, Assistant to

the Vice President for Student Services, and other Society presi-

dents from the College of Science as honorary judges. To crack

the ennui, a forthcoming singing competition served as the inter-

mission. Noel Jesus Oliver Jr. and Micah Ann G. Padua won the

said pageant, and

Dan Estrella and

Jemerleene Ox-

ciano got the

peak of singing

notes.

The 3-

Day activity

though time lim-

ited was one of

most exciting

activities the so-

ciety produced.

Physics 3-Day Sale KATE ANN R. ESGUERRA

P U P M a n i l a – T h e P U P P h y s i c s S o c i e t y h e l d i t s 1 2 t h f o u n d i n g a n n i v e r s a r y l a s t F e b r u a r y 2 3 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 1 .

The Pageant. Kerve M. Supnet, Rachel Caalim, Micah Ann G.

Padua, Noel Oliver, Regina Ilarde, Gene Itable, winners of the

said event.

CS officials together with PUP Physics Society

members on the ceremonial parade

Annual PUP Physics Society (PhySoc)

YEAR END ASSEMBLY was held at the Poly-

technic University of the Philippines (PUP)

Sta. Mesa main campus, east wing, E611

room last March 31, 2011.

Dr. Zenaida R. Sarmiento, dean of the

College of Science, gave her inspirational talk

as the program started. In addition, Dr. Evelyn

M. Matchete together with other physics pro-

fessors gave their appreciation to the organi-

zation with their encouraging remarks.

PhySoc 2010 – 2011 officers pre-

sented the achievements of the society as well

as the summary of the entire activities of the

organization in their term. The administration

honored the respective outstanding members

by giving their corresponding awards. Oath

taking and transition of authority to the newly

elected officers were done afterwards.

Before the event ended, an inspira-

tional talk was given by Mr. Reynold V. Luna,

PhySoc adviser, which encouraged and ignited

the new elected officers as well as the members

of the society. -LORENZO P. LOPEZ JR.

AUGUST

Latex Seminar

Linggo ng Wika

Science Enrichment

Program I

Urban Training

SEPTEMBER

Climate Change

Seminar

Basic Mass Integra-

tion

Historical Tour

University Contest

OCTOBER

Tree Planting

Science Enrichment

Program2

NOVEMBER

Mid-Year Assembly

DECEMBER

PNRI –AEW Tour

Star City Tour

Year End Means New Beginning Year End Means New Beginning Year End Means New Beginning Year End Means New Beginning

Awarding Ceremony of the PUP Physics Society

PhySoc’s SET OF ACTIVITIESPhySoc’s SET OF ACTIVITIESPhySoc’s SET OF ACTIVITIESPhySoc’s SET OF ACTIVITIES

Here is the list of the upcoming wave

N ew sN ew sN ew s

BS Physics boys while preparing to carry the carbonated hay stock to be used on reforestation program.

January—June 2011

PhySoc Holds Freshmen

Orientation

KERVE M. SUPNET

First year orientation was

held at the Polytechnic University

of the Philippines (PUP) Sta. Mesa

main campus last June 13, 2011. In

line with this, Mr. Reynold V.

Luna, the adviser of PUP Physics

Society (PhySoc), introduced the

PHYSOC as well as the officers of

the organization to the first year

students of Bachelor of Science in

Physics (BS-PHY). Afterwards, an

election for freshmen officers was

done. Right after the election,

PhySoc officers together with their

members toured the freshmen in

different rooms, offices and places

of the said campus.

In addition, to make the

connection between the society and

the freshmen more intimate, the

PhySoc officers and members had

their lunch meeting together with

them. Before the activity ended, a

surprise birthday celebration was

held for June celebrators.


Members of AGHAM, coordinator of Kalingap Watershed, and the Polytechnic University of

the Philippines Junior AGHAM (PUP Jr. AGHAM) in cooperation with the PUP Physics Society organ-

ized and facilitated a Basic Mass Integration last March 28-29, 2011 at Sitio San Joseph, Paenaan,

Antipolo City, Rizal. The said activity was participated in by BS Biology students from PUP.

At around 10 in the morning, the stu-

dents left the university riding two rented jeep-

neys and arrived by 12 noon at Sitio San Jo-

seph. After the coordinator guided and toured

them to the working field, they were also intro-

duced to the residents of the said area. A lunch

at the lounge was prepared by the facilitators

for the participants as well as for the residents.

While having their lunch, the coordinator gave

the students some insights about the livelihood

of the community and challenged, at the same

time encouraged, the students to embrace and

share lives with them. After lunch, the students

headed a seminar concerning the proper nutri-

tional food to eat. Right after the seminar, the

participants were headed to the proper tree

planning activity. Moreover, the students were

grouped in their respective area wherein they

would stay with and live like the residents of

that place. Late afternoon, the students went

to their assigned areas accompanied by their

adopted family and spent their night with

them.

Early morning the next day, the stu-

dents maximized their stay through fun activities

such as swimming and mountain hiking. Right

after, a gathering ceremony was held highlight-

ing the participants’ overall experiences fol-

lowed by a full-packed meal.

Freshmen meet Seniors

In line with this, before the

activity ended, an inspirational talk

was given by Bro. Pol Soriano,

AGHAM’s head coordinator, citing

the importance and nobility of the

people at that place with regards to

their livelihood and daily living.

-LORENZO P. LOPEZ JR.

Peasant coaching with Ms. Natalie Pulvinar of

Agham

6

N ew sN ew sN ew s

January—June 2011

ASTROCAMP AND NIP HOUSE TOUR

DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

PUP Physics Society took the oppor-

tunity in stepping the outside shell of its

bound states. It was invited to go through the

doors of the National Institute of the Philip-

pines (NIP) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geo-

physical and Astronomical Services Admini-

stration (PAGASA), both located in the Univer-

sity of the Philippines, last February 22, 2011.

The PhySoc members roamed

around the NIP hopping at different laborato-

ries. The program included the introduction of

devices and equipment, its principles and

mechanisms, and applications contributing to

national and international technology.

Open laboratories were: Supercon-

ductor, Semiconductor and Photonics. Partici-

pants also passed the lectures of the alienated

laboratory of Theoretical Physics wherein

space-time projection of Super Virtual World

of Cartoons, Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z be-

came real.

On the late night, the society held an

astronomical camp at the PAGASA. The de-

partment provided large telescopes in viewing

constellations, stars and planets. There was

also a lecture on astrophysics at the Planetar-

ium viewing a 3D motion of constellations.

The program highlighted astronomi-

cal reading and viewing of some heavenly

bodies.

At the end, astonishing participants

were awarded as PhySoc Stars for their deeds

and views during the entire day.


7

Seminar at N.I.P.Seminar at N.I.P.Seminar at N.I.P.

Saturn, Feb. 22, 2011

In pre-celebration of the Physics Days, PUP Phys-

ics Society launched its Amazing Race last February 22,

2011. The event aimed to advocate that students’ excel-

lence should not only exist within the academic grounds

but also in extracurricular activi-

ties and to establish rapport with

its members. Among the 7 par-

ticipating teams of Violet, Black,

Green, Brown, Yellow, Blue and

White, Rachel Caalim, Regina Il-

larde, John Manalo, Mary Grace

Padilla, Joy Mina, and Roberto

Leal of the Red Team emerged

victorious.

Contestants assembled

8:00am at the 6th

floor south wing

lobby of the main building, PUP

Manila campus. Challenges in

sequence included: crawling

down the PUP dome while blow-

ing weightless tissue paper; eat-

ing a concoction full of onions,

tomatoes, radishes, chilies and

pepper; performing a cheer and

dance number; ticket selling worth

25php; getting mobile numbers of

handsome men at the command

of usher Sandi A. Razalan in St.

Thomas Square, España; begging

for up to 200php worth of money

in Delta, along Quezon Avenue;

bell hunting and on the spot po-

etry writing plus reciting at the

Quezon City Memorial Circle

(QCMC); walking across an over-

pass in University of the Philip-

pines-Diliman (UP) in joined laces

of shoes to Arven I. Cafe and;

straw blowing with pyramid build-

ing at the Sunken Garden of UP-

Diliman. The last challenge sym-

bolized the unity of the society. -

RON LOUIE G. PALACIO

Jayvee Hayuhay of violet

team while blowing the

tissue paper down the dome.

Dan Estrella and Jona

Dalisay as they do the 2nd

task.

Green team while dancing

at the SM Sta. Mesa for the

third post.

Debbie V. Velasquez of

yellow team while searching

for his ticket buyers.

Angela Faustino as she

accomplish her job to photo-

shoot with a guy.

Green team begging for

money.

White team as they reach

the QCMC.

Violet team as they walk

across the footbridge.

Yellow team as they build a

human pyramid. The winning team.

N ew sN ew sN ew s

January—June 2011


A General Assembly was held last June 25,

2011 at the PUP Claro M. Recto Hall joined by its

society arms: both undergrads and alumni of the

BS Physics program; faculty members of the Col-

lege of Science, Mr. Jeffrey C. De Vero, Dr. Edgardo

A. Latoza, Mr. Rogelio G. Dizon; and also special

guests from its national affiliations- Junior Agham

and Samahan ng Mag-aaral sa Pagpapaunlad ng

Pisika (SMPP).

The event was formally opened by the

Dean of the College, Dr. Zenaida R. Sarmiento, and

followed by the 8th

PhySoc president and current

PAGASA Weather Observer, Mr. Raymond Ordi-

nario. He boosted the undergrads’ spirits in con-

tinuing their chosen program by giving strategies in

surviving the tension, pressure and stress of it. He

even quoted, “ Start your future with full spectrum

by putting the best foot forward” firing up every

listener in setting the momentum of sweet success

in their Personal Legends.

Another talk was given by Mr. Unico A.

Bautista, another PhySoc former president, he

shared stories of his life from a Physics student up

to a Science Research specialist at the Philippine

Nuclear Research Institute. He also highlighted the

rewards of choosing the Physics course by giving

positive vector paths not only in research but also

in other career fields such as industry, medicine

and education.

After each talk, certificates and tokens

were awarded to both speakers by the Physics So-

ciety as headed by the Dean and Chairperson of

the Science College.

To continue the assembly, the first live

presentation of PUP Physics Hymn was done by the

selected 3rd

year students. Right after, the General

Plan of Activities for the school year was intro-

duced and supported by its proposed budgetary

outline.

Another presentation, categorically an

Infomercial, was viewed giving insights of career

avenues for personal totality in the field of Physics.

The latter part of the day is dedicated on

giving the certificates and medals to those who

won the annual PUP Physics Society Academic Con-

test held before the start of the assembly. The

president of the society, Kate Ann R. Esguerra gave

a presentation on their plans for this year and the

energetic Prof. Mr. Reynold V. Luna, the PUP Phys-

ics Society adviser.

Dr. Edgardo A. Latoza, Assistant of the

Vice President for Student Services, closed the pro-

gram followed by a short picture taking of the stu-

dents. -DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

Congratulations to the PUP Physics Society as it successfully celebrated its 13th

year of existence with

a theme, “Continuing the Trajectory Towards a Total Person”.

Mr. Raymond C. Ordinario

(upper) and Mr. Unico A.

Bautista (above) giving their

respective career talks.

Oath taking of the PUP

Physics Society officers,

assisted by Dr. Zenaida R.

Sarmiento, Dean College

of Science.

Next, the PUP Physics

Family

8

N ew sN ew sN ew s

“Continuing

the TRA-

JECTORY

towards a

January—June 2011

KATE ANN R. ESGUERRA

Fun is always a by-product of Physics. Either

from the stressful touch of exams or the storm rage of

problem sets, it is a commencement to laugh and have

fun for every small thing.

But, the roll-going activities of the Physics So-

ciety never evade its members. For their convenience

and enjoyment, the society proceeds to its once-a-year

event called, “Physics Funday.”

It was held last March 24, 2011 at the Rainfor-

est Park in Pasig City. The event started 10:00 in the

morning wherein participants were grouped into five.

The first activity was the “Amazing Treasure

Hunting” which maximized the park vicinity searching

for color-coded eggs. The Blue Team won the game

with prizes still for fun.

Afterwards, the water pool served the partici-

pants to cool the warmth welcome of summer start.

From it, games and physics rituals followed. Witnessed

by the water, quarks (participants) bound together to

form one single particle; having one single goal in life-

to gain Physics’ Excellence.

This activity gives path to stronger bind to the

society members, and also to view each potentials in

maintaining the Physics’ greatness with smile in faces.


9

Quarks bound together for Physics’ excellence.

The College of Science

Laboratory, headed by Dr. Li-

wayway Velasquez, has pro-

duced new sets of laboratory

materials for BS Physics stu-

dents. Some of them include

hydrometer, transformer, gal-

vanometer, x-ray demonstra-

tors, oscilloscope, ripple tank,

voltmeter, gyroscope, electro-

scope, barome-

ters, DC motor,

and optical

bench, among

others.

In an

interview with

Dr. Velasquez,

she stated that she’s very glad with the im-

provement in the supply on the quality of

laboratory materials in physics. She gave as an

example the old

force tables that

had been broken

which are re-

placed by new

ones. She also said

something about

the value of these

materials on the

students, and I

quote, “Kahit anong bagay, ‘pag yung theory,

you put into action, into practical use, mas

matututunan mo kasi naaapply mo ang mga

itinuro sa iyo sa lecture. ” -JP BESAGAS

New Materials for

Future Physicists PhySoc

Academic Achievers

Congratulations to the follow-

ing for being at the top.

GENERAL SCIENCE

1. Jocel Bartolay

2. Redentor Natividad

3. Stephen Louis Cordura

SOCIAL SCIENCE

1. Danilo Estrella

2. Michael Montalban

3. Bon Lester Roan

GENERAL STATISTICS

1. John Carlo Elmaguin

2. Jayson Almario

3. Kenth Sallegue

BASIC MATHEMATICS

1. Justine Kyle Tiamzon

2. Ryan Hechanova

3. Jerwin Laurente ADVANCED

MATHEMATICS

1. Hernanie Salazar Jr.

2. Raiseth John Fajardo

3. Jocel Bartolay

PHILIPPINE HISTORY, CULTURE

AND ARTS

1. Xyrus Ayala

2. Jonathan Guste

3. Christian Anjo Ringor

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

(ENGLISH)

1. Jona Mae Dalisay

2. April Dominguiano

3. Arvin Lamando (FILIPINO)

1. Rheymar Morales

2. Angela Faustino

3. Aldrin Tan

CS Holds...

continued from page 4

versity and inter-university aca-

demic contests, graduating

scholars, presidents of the col-

lege student organizations, pass-

ers of the 2010 licensure exami-

nation, best theses writers, and

those who gained highest gen-

eral average.

Special awards for fac-

ulty were also given to the advis-

ers and co-advisers of students’

organizations, thesis advisers and

thesis panelists.

CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS to theto the

Physical Science FacultyPhysical Science Faculty

New Doctors!New Doctors!

ROMEO G. CASTROROMEO G. CASTRO

Doctor of EducationDoctor of Education

andand

JEFFREY C. DE VEROJEFFREY C. DE VERO

Doctor of Doctor of

Philosophy in PhysicsPhilosophy in Physics

N ew sN ew sN ew s

Capping ceremony of

Dr. Romeo G. Castro

Dissertation defense of

Dr. Jeffrey C. De Vero

Free fall

apparatuses.

Hand crank generators

Oscilloscopes

PAGASA: BOON or BANE? Wounded. Lost. Dead. These are what we see after a storm, and peo-

ple blame PAGASA for these.

PAGASA. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomi-

cal Services Administration, is the official weather forecasting agency

of the country. It is comprised of weathermen, IT experts, with the

instruments used to predict the weather for the next successive

days.

When we are dealing with forecasting we are dealing also

with uncertainties. Predicting weather is done in a scientific manner

carefully observed and studied by men called meteorologists. These

people commit themselves into the agency. For people working in

PAGASA, a government institution, having low compensation is not

an issue; mocks and blames are well-endured by them.

Dedication is not enough. We need an innovation in PA-

GASA and in GOVERNMENT. In order for the agency to give adequate

information, proper instrument should be supplied. Weathermen

should be handled properly.

From Typhoon Milenyo to Ondoy, people mocked and

spoke to PAGASA for their bad forecasts . Do they have the right to

do that?

No. Innovation and modernization must be done on the

tools that forecasters use. They must be upgraded and maintained.

PAGASA people are intelligent, educated and experienced. Some

further enhance their capabilities through pursuing higher education

here and abroad. Scholarship grants by foreign institutions are of-

fered to its men with potential. Piracy is also a proof of how great

PAGASA is. Materials they are state-of-the art. Compared to the

other developed and developing countries, our PAGASA uses ad-

vanced equipment really designed to predict intensive weather with

higher accuracy.

When we are dealing with science we are also dealing with

complexities and uncertainties. Turbulence and chaos are always

present in the atmosphere. Science, especially forecasting, which the

public does not know, deals with them and not with the classical

100% folk.

Today, PAGASA has new sets of equipment donated by Ja-

pan and other countries, and some state-of-the art equipment ac-

quired through the efforts of our government. Weather forecasting

is made easier with these tools, which also increase accuracy of pre-

diction and frequency of bulletin issuance.

BOON or BANE?

Everything will be a bane if it is treated stubbornly. In the

case of PAGASA, it will be a bane if it is not considered as a priority

by the government.

The Society’s theme really con-

verges my mind into something enthusiastic

world of vision but it also baffles me at all

time.

From the extemporaneous speech

contest I have attended, also an activity pro-

vided by the society, I got impressions of the

annual theme from my fellow students and

they really enlightened my puzzled con-

sciousness. So let’s integrate them by parts.

Continuing. From the word CON-

TINUE. So what will be continued? The Phys-

ics Society provided activities for self-

fulfilment since 1998. The astronomical

camps at PAGASA, open-house

visits to National Institute of the

Philippines (NIP), attending semi-

nars from the Philippine Nuclear

Research Institute (PNRI), and so

on; are activities that partly give

great deals to students pursuing to

fathom the applications of Physics.

Trajectory. It is the trav-

elled path at a projectile motion.

An exact position in real dimen-

sion. A vector path, true direc-

tional,

continued on page 11

“Physics Society: Continuing the Trajectory Towards a Total Person” DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

“Totality is scattered everywhere. It is how you consider them as logical parts of your body.”

January—June 2011


10

OpinionOpinionOpinion

January—June 2011


Our day to day activities are affected by weather.

Weather is variable both in time and space. Knowing this fact,

weather forecasting deals with many uncertainties. The main

question is how uncertain is the weather forecasting?

In terms of science, when you deal with variables you

deal with many assumptions and limitations. Physical parame-

ters as well as known physical laws are not enough to make

these uncertainties negligible. Meteorology is the science that

deals with the study of the atmosphere at which the weather

is dependent.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astro-

nomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is the country’s

official weather bureau. How does PAGASA deal with the un-

certainty of the weather? Expert meteorologist or weather

forecaster is one of the key factor to limit the error due to

these uncertainties. Another factor is the modern equipment

being purchased and employed by PAGASA. Another is the

use of well-developed numerical weather prediction models.

These models are based on the atmospheric equation derived

from the known physical laws. But, even with these why does

PAGASA always fail to give an accurate weather forecast?

The answer to this is not in the people or in its equip-

ment, is the science itself. The atmosphere itself is complex in

nature, as told by James Gleick in his bestselling book: Chaos.

Dealing with complexity makes weather forecasting an inter-

esting one. But, being uncertain makes many people vulner-

able to unexpected weather such as the local thunderstorm

that occurred in Davao last June 28 that caused massive flash

flooding which resulted to less than 25 people dead. Even in

developed countries such as United States of America, United

Kingdom, Australia, Japan and others weather forecasting is a

great challenge. They never got a 100% accurate forecast. But

they have higher confidence in terms of their forecasts.

The question of who to blame should not be a great

issue. The awareness of the people regarding these weather

occurrences together with the uncertainties is the key to

lessen the hazard of this weather disturbance. Preparation

and proper decision keeps the people away from the impacts

of these atmospheric hazards.

Physics Society: Continuing ...


provided to any interested body to understand its desire in Physics. It is a pushing way to move forward, either positive or negative, for

the challenges of life. Towards. To whom? To what for?

This includes the aiming point of every individual. The pushing force, the total energy, a real goal in life. It is the inspiration that

lives in any objective.

Total. A completeness of something that may give an impression of value and love. This positive force makes somebody to swim

into the wave pool of massive encounters. It is the strength-maximizer, adrenaline power, that puts anything at comfort.

Person. A pinnacle of every point of life. It delivers harmony of humanity and peace. A true conjunction of faith and honour.

Into agreement upon the integration, the PUP Physics Society does not want to be a starting point for ravenous intelligence. It

provides service of happiness, completeness, concreteness, and psychological consciousness. The Society wants to illuminate each of its

cells the transparency of life, the balance, the shine and glitters of it, the hard core, the high-fly of every award, the actions and results –

thus, the REALITY.

It is a society of mental awareness. It visions to open every conscious mind into its super conscious level. The activities are not

literally focused onto Academics but connotatively on Personal Totality.

People need social communication as a reflection of their interest. The camps, seminars, assemblies, contests, meetings, com-

munity services, and also the travel trips are part of life enjoyment. They teach how to live life. Even the Creative Plan has said, “Let there

be light,” and so there is light. Light is the most promising material (to be considered) in the vast universe. It radiates and transfers its

photon energy to each of the particles. It behaves like a wave as one receives heat that eventually gives life. It also cleanses people from

any other impurities.

Be a light, too. The society is a torch of wisdom. It is a vista of pleasure. In every path it offers, is gained a thought of wholeness –

the stepping stone of satisfaction.

It follows, therefore, that as you CONTINUE moving forward into the TRAJECTORY of life, walk TOWARDS your vision (self-

totality), live as a TOTAL PERSON.

MR. RAYMOND C. ORDINARIO (Weather Scientist, PAGASA)

OpinionOpinionOpinion

11

Alumni RosterAlumni RosterAlumni RosterAlumni Roster

Congratulations to the

newly graduates

of BS Physics program last

May 2011

Rialyn Z. Maquinad

Lara Jennina A. Gianan

Roma S. Lopez

Lou Bryan G. Abrena

Sandi A. Razalan

Sheryllyn M. Linda

Mheldee D. Dizon

Jobelle J. Gimeno

Arianne Gail S. Rivera

Vida A. Sayson

Angelie J. Liamzon

Arven I. Cafe

Ryan T. Diocampo

Mary Ann A. Pangilinan

Melvin N. Borbe

January—June 2011


FEA-

TURE

12

“When I first stepped in the BS

Physics program, I met two groups of peo-

ple: first, the ones who really wanted the

course, second, the ones who were just put

by the registrar”. So then I asked, “So..

were you in the former or latter?”. He an-

swered, “I am a physics enthusiast”.

“Walang madaling course sa PUP. There are

students who come to me for advice. They

wanted to shift to another course but I en-

courage them to pursue physics”.

Just like any other students, “I have

no idea. ‘Di ko talaga alam!” was his answer

to my question, “What was your first im-

pression in the program and the physics

society?”.

Q: So what did you expect as a fresh-

man?

A: Wala talaga. E-enter ako ng BS

Physics, I need to graduate after 4 years. Yun

lang! Nothing at all. That was my mindset

(with an emphasis on “was”).

What he realized afterwards was

that he could not just do that. He could not

just enter in, go away, and find a good re-

searching job.

Like us, he went through many chal-

lenges. It wasn’t easy for him to lead the

society (PhySoc) as a president and the

same time a third year student where he

met all the “hard core” physics. As a stu-

dent, I admired this successful man in the

bravery he possesses. “When it comes to

PhySoc activities, I wanted them full of fun.

Moreover, I didn’t want us to box ourselves

inside the university so for an activity, I

waived the whole society. That was tough.

Someone almost had an accident. I knew for

a fact that when ‘the bad thing’ happened, I

should expect the worst: I would be kicked

out of PUP”.

There was also a time, same school

year, that someone, during a society meet-

ing, threw him a bad word just because he

“impeached” an irresponsible officer. IN-

TRIGUING.

From call center to PAGASA.

You might be thinking, “What could be my career after my four years of physics?” I am a very positive person knowing that my future is secured in the One who holds everything in His hands. But as time goes by, here in the physics course, it was not very easy for me to hold on this hope, but I did. Everyone needs an inspiration. Kuya Ordi has a story to tell, he did not become what he is now without perseverance. He did not become a weather specialist in a snap after he graduated.

Don’t Call Don’t Call Don’t Call Don’t Call

Him Sir Him Sir Him Sir Him Sir

Tête-à-tête with

Mr. Raymond C. Ordinario

By MA. ANGELA B. FAUSTINO

Mr. Ordinario while doing his numerical models

at PAGASA

Graduates pose for the

camera after the graduation

ceremony .

SHIELD. Students’ Homogeneity In Ex-

cellence, Leadership and Development: Clash

of 2011-2012 is a house battle wherein differ-

ent houses will

aim to be on top.

Its main objective

is to unleash the

competitiveness

and leadership

skills in every

member. It also

aims to balance

the academic and

n o n - a c a d e m i c

skills of each

team.

The name of last year’s houses came

from the names of the scientists who contrib-

uted to the world of physics. For this year, the

name of houses came from some Greek letters

that are often used in studying physics. These

are the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma each

with their colors, red, blue, green, and pink,

respectively.

Each member of a house that will par-

ticipate in some projects of the society will bag

points. These points will depend on the nature

of project. Some of these projects are seminars,

contest (academic and non-academic), exten-

sion programs, and also Quantum, the official

publication of the PUP Physics Society. Heavy

points are given away for the academic contest

rather than the non-academic because the offi-

cers believe that the members of the society

should excel in these aspects.

Many members of the society are ex-

cited to showcase their skills and also to prove

that they are the best. Some are hoping and

praying that they will not be at the bottom.

One thing the officers are sure of is this project

will be great and members will experience trials

and fun, trials that will mold them to be better

member of the society and fun that they will

cherish forever.

- BHENZ RODRIGUEZ

SHIELD: logo of unity , leader-

ship and development

January—June 2011


FEA-

TURE

13

This now young profes-

sional is blessed by intelligence

and a gift of leadership. In addition

he has, a good heart willing to help

his Alma Mater, the physics stu-

dents, by giving lectures/ seminars

on things related to his work: FOR-

TRAN (a programming language

used in numerical modeling) and

global warming. “We have two

semesters of numerical methods

for physics but the problem is the

facility. ‘Till now it is my heart that

the physics society will have its

own computer that would be avail-

able for all”.

“We cannot love now in

Physics more of a theory. The trend

now is how you use physics in the

industry. When I started my mas-

ters in meteorology in Ateneo, I had

observed that it is more of applica-

tions rather than theoretical”. He

works now at PAG-ASA as a

weather specialist I at the numeri-

cal modeling section – research. He

showed us his sample output: it

was a 2D Philippine map,

“simulation-like” wherein a tropical

depression is moving towards and

away from the Philippines.

He advised us that we can-

not live in “whatever”, in that

“after four years, I’ll graduate and

find a good job”. He quoted,

“Kailangan nating aminin as scien-

tists, as researchers, we’ll never

stop studying. Do not expect that

you can be in the physics industry

without taking up your masters

first.” “We don’t wanna see you in

call centers”, he added.

Mr. Raymond Ordinario, a

physicist, a Weather Specialist I of

PAG-ASA, is an alumnus of batch

2007, taking up his Masters in Me-

teorology at the Ateneo de Manila

University. Thumbs-up Kuya Ordi!

(from Quantum feature staff).

He always insisted that BS

Physics is BS Physics and not as call

center agents and high school edu-

cators.

A numerical model done by Mr.

Ordinario, used to predict the be-

havior of the weather.

Mr. Raymond Ordinario (right) to-

gether with the interviewer (left)

and PUP Physics Society adviser

(middle).

A conference and appreciation party

with his (Mr. Raymond Ordinario –

fourth from right) colleagues.

MR. JEFFREY D. TARE

Advancement in technology in the past decades allowed us to explore not only the

magnificent lifeforms here on Earth but also the depth and immensity of the Universe ( at

least partly ). Who among us would not be amazed of the picturesque views of planet

atmosphere such as those of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, or even our Earth seen on print

materials or videos? Awesome, indeed! But the natural processes behind those huge forms

are even mind-boggling yet worth working on to fully understand the mechanism involved.

In the literature, it is agreed upon

that convection plays a major role in the

atmosphere of a planet. Convection is a

well-known physical process that pertains

to fluid motions caused by temperature

differences. It is essential as breathing; and,

as a mode of energy transfer, it is really

important in disturbing minerals and nutri-

ents from the underneath to the Earth’s

surface, be it on land or ocean. In addition

to wind currents in the atmosphere, con-

vection can also be observed during a vol-

canic eruption. Molten rocks from the

Earth’s inner core act as the convecting

fluid that rises to the earth’s layer. The

pressure beneath the earth keeps accumu-

lating and the temperature constantly rises.

In due time, once a critical parameter is

reached, say the threshold to which the

Earth can no longer hold the pressure from

the inner layer, our planet will instantly

collapse and then annihilate from the solar

system. That is far more destructive than a

volcanic eruption.

Is there any way on how we can

keep track of all convective processes and

then possibly reduce the overwhelming

effects of catastrophes? Modern state-of-

the-art technology makes various forecasts

with quite good accuracies. However, the

data provided by detection systems to offer

short-term information and long-term pre-

diction remain a challenge up to now.

How important studying a phe-

nomenon like convection entails realization

of its complexity and understanding the

significance of simplification of the problem

to come up with reasonable approxima-

tions. One might over rate the impossibility

of modeling convection given the observa-

tion of its real-life manifestations. On the

contrary, convection can be modeled, un-

der a controlled condition ( and that is good

thing! ). It is mentioned above that convec-

tion is mainly due to differences in tem-

perature. In fact, the temperature gradient

involved is said to be pointing in random

directions. This occurs when uniform heat

is applied from the bottom of the plane or

the system is uniformly cooled from above.

This setup anticipates Rayleigh-Benard (RB)

convection whose arising fluid motion is

primarily induced by buoyancy owing its

wide-range applications in astrophysics,

meteorology, and even in industry like cool-

ing nuclear power plants and heating of

buildings. Benard cells are regular convec-

tion cells that form because of close con-

straints on experimental conditions

.

moting science and technology that genu-

inely serve the interest of the Filipino peo-

ple, especially the poor. It aims to vigorously

encourage S&T professionals, workers, and

advocates sharing their knowledge and ex-

pertise through direct community service,

research, consultancy, campaigns and advo-

cacy, fora, fact-finding missions, and discus-

sion groups. AGHAM is established in the

Philippines as the name of Samahan ng Nag-

tataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa

Sambayanan, on July 24, 1999 and duly reg-

istered with the Security and Exchange Com-

mission on January 2000.

PUP Junior Agham was founded on

October of 2010. It was established by phys-

ics students of PUP, a professor who is al-

ready a member of AGHAM, and other

AGHAM officers. Before, students were just

invited to join one of AGHAM's many activi-

ties, the PSS or Peoples Science School. Its

aim is to teach urban peasants’ basic science

so that they can use it to improve their daily

life. Students participated in the said activ-

ity. After that AGHAM conducted a second

activity that made students interact with the

rural folks, BMI or Basic Masses Integration.

It was joined by volunteers outside the cam-

pus, members of AGHAM and physics stu-

dents from PUP.

Hence, PUP Junior AGHAM and AGHAM

have the vision for the society to be unite

and be innovated in the field of science and

technology. Moreover, they believe that

science should work for the people and not

the other way around. -KARLO J. TIMBALKARLO J. TIMBAL

January—June 2011


FEA-

TURE

14

AGHAM Youth or PUP Junior AGHAM is an advocate of science and technology like

its mother superior, AGHAM. Its vision and definition are the same with its parent yet this

sector is focused in molding the youths to be leaders and to be promoters of goodness to

the environment as well as to the people behind. AGHAM is an organization of patriotic, pro

-people science and technology advocates, bonded together by a common interest of pro-

Let us imagine the Earth as exhibit-

ing purely RB convection process, and Benard

cells are present both in the atmosphere and

beneath Earth’s surface. In this setup, we

depict Earth as an example of an “RB

PLANET”. With the simplistic nature of RB

convection and regularity of Benard cells,

how life on Earth be? We might think that

weather forecasting will no longer be applica-

ble. That makes sense as regularity of Benard

cells in the atmosphere means no weather

disturbance at all. Wind currents will be uni-

assess improvement.

Monitoring of the

program will be done twice for

this school year, one for each

semester. In line with this,

tutees will evaluate their tu-

tors based on their perform-

ance during the tutorial.

PhySoc SWORD Strikes

for Excellence

JOHN PAUL A. BESAGAS

The PUP Physics Society carries

out its tutorial program named SWORD.

SWORD stands for Scientific Wisdom

Ontogeny and Readiness in the Disci-

pline. It was started in June 22, 2011,

headed by Mr. Reynold V. Luna, PhySoc

adviser and project consultant and yours

truly, the academic affairs chairperson of

the said organization.

The SWORD has its general ob-

jective “Extending the Enlightenment of

Minds in Exploring the World of Sci-

ence”. It aims to develop the scientific

and mathematical skills of the students

and boost their potentials.

The program includes tutorials

in physics such as college physics, gen-

eral physics, physics fundamentals, mod-

ern physics, electromagnetic theory,

theoretical and statistical mechanics. In

the field of mathematics, SWORD has

tutorials in college algebra, analytical

geometry, trigonometry, differential and

integral calculus, elementary differential

equations, vector analysis and complex

analysis. Moreover, general biology and

chemistry are also included in the said

program.

Students of the Polytechnic Uni-

versity of the Philippines especially those

who have science and mathematics sub-

jects are welcome to join the program. In

actual, the registration period for tutees

had started on the first day of classes,

June 13, 2011 and is extended.

Also, 2nd

to 5th

year students

who have good grades are qualified to

become the tutors of the SWORD.

SWORD follows a class discus-

sion method. Books and printouts are

used as reference materials. A pre-

examination is given to tutees to see if

they have a good background about the

lesson to be discussed. Then, it is fol-

lowed by a lecture and coached problem

solving. After that, a post examination is given to

SWORD: Scientific Wisdom Ontogeny and Readiness in the Discipline

Convection and an Insight… continued from page 14

in all places. We might even have a single weather

system, neglecting Coriolis Effect and other effects

brought by the Earth’s rotation and revolution. All

countries will have the same number of climate

seasons as well as good weather condition all year

round. That means no flight cancellation, no casu-

alty from typhoons or hurricanes, no tornadoes,

and so on-just a perfect weather! Moreover, the

Earth as seen from the outer space will look more

appealing and resemble like a giant Christmas

ornament owing the regular pattern of its atmos-

phere. How about periodic shifting of the atmos-

pheric pattern from hexagons to rolls, rectangles,

or squares?

We may observe and experience some

pros of living in an RB planet on land. Assuming a

favorable and uniform temperature on the tropo-

sphere and good porosity of land masses, hazards

of volcanic eruption will be lessened. This will be

made possible through approximate uniform cool-

ing of planet’s surface so that temperature be-

neath will be prevented from further increasing.

Also, the release of heat will be aided by good

porosity of the soil and all land masses to weaken

the pressure that accumulates beneath the sur-

face. This means weak earthquakes, less to tsu-

nami alerts, less to destruction of properties, and

less casualties (if there is any). Will RB convection

in this case allow for long-term earthquake predic-

tion? Periodicity of Benard cells may favor the

possibility. If scientists and engineers will be able

to develop a technology that can determine peri-

ods of occasional strong quakes based on move-

ments of giant convection cells beneath, then long

-term prediction will be likely.

Other applications of RB convection are

yet to be discovered, and more accurate approxi-

mations warrant advancement in computational

fluid dynamics and software development. This

poses a great challenge to our scientists and engi-

neers, and even to us, students. Deep understand-

ing of all mechanisms involved in the RB phe-

nomenon may pave way to significant improve-

ment in weather forecasting and earthquake pre-

diction in the future. One should just be open-

minded enough for all possibilities. How about

migrating to the RB planet for a while and look

everything in an RB perspective?

Planking refers to the act of lying face

down in unusual public places with arms to the

sides with fingers pointed, while the body re-

mains straight together with toes pointed, and

the expressionless face lied down, mimicking a

wooden plank. Participants of planking are

called plankers.

Planking began in 2006 when two Brit-

ish students posted pictures of themselves in

Facebook, participating in the “Lying Down

Game”. Not later in 2008 when the term

“planking” was reportedly coined by Paul Car-

ran, a New Zealander living in Sydney, Austra-

lia. Today, plankers multiply in number because

of their taste for innovation, good photo con-

cept which they can use on social networking

sites.

Many students, especially in the Poly-

technic University of the Philippines (PUP), do

planking for fun. Some of them plank at the

Obelisk, at the desk, at the swimming pool, at

the famous unlimited lugawan spot, even at

the chairs where they looked like levitating.


January—June 2011


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15

These are the Physics prodigy profiles of super powerful mutants, clash of the class of knowledge- bringers.

Is Planking… continued from page 15

But what really is planking?

Is it an outrage of an emotion or is it a flashback on the his-

tory? People plank because of their TRIP to do it so. It is their way of

saying that here I am, free and liberated to express my feelings with

this manner, a genuine fun, a sign of calmness.

Regarding the history, slaves caught in Africa were forced to

lay down on planks with hands side by side on their bellies and had

their wrists chained on their waists. They are stacked on top of the

other as they are shipped to be sold in market. Many did not survive

this cruel treatment, some died of hunger and possibly suffocation.

Although many contradict this, that it was called “packing,” it was

also referred to as “planking” and that planking was different be-

cause they lie face

down and not face

up. Was it that hard

to see the resem-

blance?

Though it is

good or not, what

necessary is to ex-

press your emotion.

Showing it can gain you sympathy and enemies too. Just be responsi-

ble for it. -JOCEL B. BARTOLAY

Let’s do the plank.

BEAST. Reynold V. Luna. A geek with high interest

in medical physics. He conversely created connections

between any other forms of sciences related to medicine.

With too much desire in

genetic engineering and

radioactive patenting

(Raven’s Blood), he made

an experimental formula

and tested it himself, trans-

forming him into overflow-

ing strength. He is capable

of swinging his body from

place to place, acting like a

low mass dancing ballerina.

A living proof of Incredible

Hulk purely packed with

obedience, giving him the

aura of gentility.

MAGNETO. Jeffrey C. De Vero. Being part of the Physics First

Class made him a sturdy person. With great love for his mother,

he entirely discovered his magnetic ability. A lure type man that

broadens his skills up

into electromagnetic

radiation, more specific

a LASER. He’s a living

superconductive magnet

that quantumly elevates

the potentials of his

every ally. You may think

that he can whip you

into macabre state, but

surely he’s a maestro

that repels your nega-

tive domains.

HAVOK. Rogelio G. Dizon,

Physics and Chemistry bias,

he formulated his body to

emit super powerful plasma,

make him part of the Physics

First Class. At first, he can

not make plasma hula hoops

and make them blast ironi-

cally in specific pattern. With

the help of Professor X and

Magneto, he developed a skill in electronics wherein he was

packed with a distressful-to-discuss silicon device, giving him a

control of his plasma blast with a certain vector. All out of these,

he is a man of sincerity and soul-enlightened attitude.

PROFESSOR X.

Ruben Madridejos. The

very most foundation of

the Physics First Class.

This mental magus has

greatly developed his

Physics skill since child-

hood. With high preci-

sion of theoretical

knowledge, he eventu-

ally conforms any sort of

any problems at instant.

He can mathematically

prove the existence of any living force and nearly read what’s

in your mind. This unjustifiable abilities make him a true honor,

still puzzling identity covers him for nobody knows his middle

name, that exactly made him be called, Professor X.

January—June 2011


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DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

How did you feel when you heard the news about nuclear

meltdown, or commonly known as radioactive scare? Were you

afraid? Or you’re intelligent enough so you don’t care? Compared to

bomb scare, the reaction of the people is less intrigued. It’s all over

the news like wildfire but still not many of us know what radioactiv-

ity really is.

For the sake of the doubt, everything, even the person be-

side you is considered to be radioactive. Since “radioactive or radio-

activity” has been mentioned many times in the forms of mass me-

dia, I’m sure that almost every person is familiar with it. But still, not

everyone knows its definition. According to Encarta, radioactivity is

the process of emitting energy in the form of a particle or wave. It is

classified into two forms namely the ionizing radiation which is

mostly used for nuclear purposes and non – ionizing radiation which

is commonly found in some devices.


Defense of the Ancients. This top game of the season acts like a hydra-quickly growing; attacking the mass players being versatile evo-

lution of Warcraft. The hitting points of it are the revised gameplay mode (Sentinnel VS Scourge), more hero options, and having an automatic

call for power (back-ups).

In any game concept, hero’s background are the mean point. The strength, agility, and intelligence, also the survival stamina, skills and

stats are the one always being considered. But most eventually, heroes are selected according to their abilities, skills and mechanism in the bat-

tlefield. In which way they will be valuable in times of a saga. This is necessary to inflict more damage, threaten and even slay their opponents as

the pinnacle of the game.

To be more specific, the game is rolled upon the physics environment that is purely attributed to the enthusiasm of any player. Let me

give you some heroes so you would refrain to be a “noob” or to evade the worst adjective-“weak.”

Darkchow. He is a radioactive villain from the remains of the nebular collapsed star en-

formed within a field of cosmological magic with the mystical power consuming hundreds of worlds,

he’s a living proof of the Olber’s paradox. With the knowledge of Albert Einstein about his special the-

ory of relativity and other out-of-this world mathematics Darkchow had managed to solve the unifica-

tion theory we had for today.

With this, he can teleport to any of his allies or making them portals of escape in baffling

state. He happily summons a super massive scattered black holes sucking up his enemies while having

pieces of anti-matter on the ground making a way for a closer destruc-

tion. These great attributes bewilder any form of creature that let him

known to be “Enigma”-a true oblivion more enough than a supernovae.

Stone Giant. There is a newly born giant from the rocky mountain gradi-

ent of having the strength of a hill and the acceleration of a falling boul-

der. He is definitely massive yet full of haste-a wonderful momentum. He masters the Newtonian Mechanics (of de-

fense building), capable to stun his rival by giving a bone-breaking bash that is powerful as it creates shockwaves that

make vibrational ripples on the ground. Tangled with superconductive elevation force, he can flurry huge amounts of

soil at ease to cause sinusoidal avalanches and also, perfectly throws

huge-massive rocks in different trajectory. Moreover his ferromagnetic

granite heart shifts his body-magnetic domains, attracting rocks on his

environment, evolving him to a larger iron-hand golem, a more powerful one. These Newtonian-

magnetic entities called him to be Stone Giant.

Morphling From the succession of evolution, this magnum opus has a liquid body supported by an

unknown membrane. He believes on Daniel Bernoulli’s principle for his dynamic locomotion. He can

change power attributes in a whim whenever it is needed, changing from a particle type (strength) for

a wave-like (agility) and vice versa. Morphling can also force his body to flow over opponents creating

a wave fronts of high amplitude, critically damped, leaving great injury to them. Also to include he’s an

expert of Snell’s Law, distributingly creates literal clones of his target, forcing them to face their own

reflection as he crushes them in confusion.

I remind you guys, don’t let yourself be a psychological war freak. Instead, be an intelligent gamer, one who balance entertainment and

work. Analyze the information behind the game, it is a reflection of who you are.

Rock on! Keep learning playing while. Put the Physics forward. -DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

January—June 2011


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17

“X“X -- MEN: FIRST CLASSMEN: FIRST CLASS” PHYSICS QUANTITY

KATE ANN R. ESGUERRA

Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr

Oh no! Physics again? Maybe that’s

your initial reaction when you saw the title

of this article. Well, I’m not making things

complicated but since I’m a physics student

let’s relate things with physics. We can’t

escape physics whether you like it or not.

Physics is always present in this universe; all

we have to do is to deal with it. This movie

caught my attention when I first saw it.

At a German concentration camp in

occupied Poland in 1944, scientist Dr.

Schmidt observed young Erik Lensherr bend

a metal gate with his mind when the child

was separated from his parents. In his office,

Schmidt ordered Lensherr to similarly move

a coin on a desk, and killed his mother when

the child cannot. In his grief and anger,

Lensherr's magnetic power manifested,

killing two guards and destroying the room,

to Schmidt's delight.

At a mansion in Westchester

County, New York, young telepath Charles

Xavier met homeless young shape-shifter

Raven. Overjoyed to meet someone else

"different" like him, he invites her to live

with his family.

In 1962, an adult Lensherr is

tracking down Schmidt to take revenge. In

England, Oxford University graduate Xavier is

publishing his thesis on mutation; Raven,

now his foster sister, lived with him. In Las

Vegas, CIA agent Moira MacTaggert followed

US Army Colonel Hendry into the Hellfire

Club, where she saw Sebastian Shaw, Emma

Frost, and Azazel. After Shaw threatened

Hendry, Azazel disappeared with the officer;

moments later Hendry was in the War Room,

advocating that the US install nuclear

missiles in Turkey. Shaw later killed Hendry,

revealing himself as Schmidt and

demonstrating the energy-absorbing mutant

power that had de-aged him.

MacTaggert, seeking Xavier's advice

on mutation, convinced him and Raven to

join her at the CIA, where they convinced

Director McCone that mutants existed and

Shaw was a threat. The unnamed "Man in

Black Suit", another CIA executive,

sponsored the mutants and invited them to

the CIA's secret "Division X" facility. Xavier

located Shaw, arriving in time to stop

Lensherr, who had attacked Shaw, from

drowning as Shaw escaped. Xavier brought

Lensherr to Division X, where they met

young scientist Hank McCoy, a prehensile-

footed mutant whom Xavier inadvertently as

a mutant. McCoy, developing a bond with

Raven, promised her he would find a way to

normalize their appearance. Xavier used a

mutant-locating device, Cerebro, to find and

recruit mutants for training to stop Shaw. He

and Lensherr found stripper Angel

Salvadore; taxi driver Armando Muñoz, who

took the code name Darwin; Army prisoner

Alex Summers, who called himself Havok;

and Sean Cassidy, who dubbed himself

Banshee. Raven took the name Mystique.

She also dubbed Charles "Prof. X" and Erik

"Magneto."

When Frost met with a Soviet

general in the USSR, Xavier and Lensherr

captured her. Meanwhile, Azazel, Riptide

and Shaw attacked Division X, killing

everyone but the young mutants and

offering them the chance to join him. Angel

accepted, when Darwin tried to fight back,

Shaw killed him. With the facility destroyed,

Xavier took the mutants to train at his family

mansion. McCoy devised protective uniforms

and a stealth jet. In Moscow, Shaw compeled

the general to have the Soviet Union install

nuclear missiles in Cuba.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, US

President John F. Kennedy instituted a

blockade to stop a Soviet freighter from

moving the nuclear missiles to Cuba. Shaw,

wearing a helmet that foiled Xavier's

telepathy, accompanied the Soviet fleet to

ensure the missiles arrive, trying to trigger

World War III and achieved mutant

ascendency. Raven went to seduce Lensherr,

who convinced her to embrace her nature as

a mutant. Later, McCoy offered Raven his

cure for her appearance, but she refused.

The cure backfired on McCoy, rendering him

a leonine beast. Though ashamed of his new

appearance, he piloted the mutants and

MacTaggert to the blockade line. In an

ensuing battle with Shaw, Lensherr took the

helmet for himself, allowing Xavier to

immobilize Shaw. Despite Xavier's

objections, Lensherr killed Shaw by forcing

the Nazi coin through his brain.

Fearing the mutants, the fleets fired

their missiles at them. In a struggle, Xavier

kept Lensherr from destroying the fleets

with the missiles, but when MacTaggert fired

at Lensherr, a deflected bullet hit Xavier in

the spine. Lensherr, remorseful, left with

Mystique, Angel, Riptide and Azazel. A

wheelchair-bound Xavier and the mutants

returned to the mansion, where he intended

to open a school. MacTaggert promised

never to reveal his location and they kissed;

at the CIA later, she said she has no clear

memory of recent events. Lensherr, in a

uniform with the helmet and calling himself

Magneto, broke Frost from confinement.

If you have seen the movie you’ll be

attracted with the powers of mutant which

some of them use the principle of physics. I

bet we all agree that physics is very hard, but

seeing a movie like this and relating it on our

forte we can say that physics is somehow

enjoyable.

Clips from: http://www.imdb.com/

media/rm2875308288/tt1270798 © 2011 - Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

The BEAST at CIA’s secret facility

January—June 2011


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Love is Love is Love is Love is Like...…Like...…Like...…Like...…

By RON LOUIE G. PALACIO

Love is like Algebra, The x is annoying.

Love is like Solid State Physics, Full of bonds.

Love is like Quantum Mechanics, Filled with uncertainties.

Love is like Radiation Physics, It is lurid to those who don ’ t understand.

Love is like Classical Mechanics, It is fundamental.

Love is like Statistics, You ’ re my mode I wanna be your mean.

Love is like Complex Analysis, It has the Real and Imaginary.

The Heepney. Walking through the smart road, with

controllable magnetic domains for vehicle safety, I

rode a heepney. Yes, it is! It’s a three door commuter

jeep with up and down compartment having a capacity

for 150 riders. It is made up of scraps from space shut-

tles and 7th

generation Mag-Lev with a 150kW hydro-

gen internal combustion engine with the ability to put

you at instant to your destination with a travelling

maximum speed of 350kph hovering the ground of 10 feet above.

By the way all vehicles are renamed with H for hydrogen for all oil

companies are down and replaced with extractor dams as source

of this techy fuel.

10-Gen House. As I say

buh-bye to my SpongeBob

pineapple house, I re-

member the notion bring-

ing up all universal houses

into solar powered house with a plant landscape on top.

The outer walls of this house is made up of amorphous

anti-reflection solar stands with carbon nanotube coat-

ing. So surely, it is eco-friendly with a Typhoon 10 resis-

tance.

HoloCom. As I observe during my trip to the Water Lion City (Singapore), it’s annoying and dis-

tracting to view the behemoth dimensional holographic ads that

will thoroughly access to my H-pod. Although they give views of my

favorite H-TV listing, it spoils my technological interest. Somehow,

it relieves my rear tension as I scroll my Dbook comment list.

Kinetic Pant. Oops. I’m in low-batt. Good thing I gained this 27th

generation of Levis jeans. All I need to do is to attached the charg-

ing cord to my H-pod (in hologram too). The secret of charging

(now it is not a secret anymore) is within the fibers making this clothes, converts your mechanical

energy input (by means of walking) to electrical energy output. Truly this innovation is a call for

healthy and green living. By the way this is washable

and cool to wear!

Anti-Gravity Structure Technology. The reality of

breaking Newton’s Law, here I am at the city. I got to

snapped at the Ayala Zenith, the first route-walking

mall in Asia. With its sky rise parking units, shoppers

can freely hop from place to place though the traveler

mall.

January—June 2011


Literary

19

Tomorrow’s Sketch Up A FUTURISTIC VIEWS

DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

It’s been a minute after I regained myself from the space-Lifelight. As I leave my

emphatic virtual room, I went through the entire vicinity of Millenium City (formerly Ma-

nila). Years before, it was an ill-blood city of wilderness, almost forgotten from strains of

the great deluge of “Super Typhoon 7 OPENG” and now urbanized by the creation of the

international sector Physics Minion for Advancement, PMA.

“If nature was not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature was not worth knowing, life would not be worth living. ”

-Henri Poincare

NIPIANS APRIL ANGELIQUE E. DOMINGIUANO

Waking up on a rainy day, I realized that summer has ended. Just like a dream, the summer that

we, the incoming fourth year students, have been waiting for, ended. Time really flies when you enjoy the

moments of your life.

Every time I close my eyes, I can still have a

glimpse of the National Institute of Physics Laborato-

ries such as Photonics Research Laboratory; Instru-

mentation; Semiconductor and Superconductor

Group under the Condensed Matter Physics Labora-

tory (CMPL); Theoretical Physics Group; Plasma; and

Structural Dynamics. We are so blessed to be one of

the universities that got an access to the said Insti-

tute, thanks to Mr. Jeffrey C. De Vero, proud alumni

of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PUP. To

give you an update about Mr. De Vero, after his de-

gree in the Bachelor of Science in Physics at the PUP

and got his Masters Degree in Physics at the Univer-

sity of the Philippines (UP), he is now taking his Doc-

torate at UP. So if you are a PUPian, be proud that

you’re one of the thousands of students who studies

at PUP.

Sixteen students from the incoming fourth

year students had an opportunity to be trained in

four of the laboratories at NIP. Annaliza M. Amo,

Joseph A. De Mesa, Bhenz Rodriguez, and I, were

accepted at the Photonics Research Laboratory that

was divided into two groups, the Laser Group and,

Holography and Shearography Group. We had a

great time learning new things from our trainers, Ms.

Jaziel Vitug and Mr. Lean Dasallas. Ms. Vitug taught

us about the apparatuses that they use in the Pulsed

-Laser Deposition (PLD) which is under the Laser

Group, and how these work. Mr. Dasallas, alumni of

PUP, taught us how to fix things in the laboratory. I

could still remember the vise grips, wrenches and

Teflon that we used in fixing the chiller for the Vac-

uum Chambers that PLD used in the experiment. And

oh! I could not forget the time when Ms. Vitug asked

me and Annaliza to connect the wires for the ioniza-

tion gauge. It was like a mini-welding task which was

very exciting figuring out how to connect them in a

neat way. For the two boys, Bhenz and Joseph, it was

like a gym but the difference was that they learned

how to tighten things.

Under the CMPL, eleven students namely:

Mary Ann Calleja, Micah Ann G. Padua, and Hernanie

Salazar; Ricky Ampoloquio, Mina Rose D. Bagay,

Michaelrey Cainglet, Angela B. Faustino, Lorenzo P.

Lopez jr., Vanessa Malapit, Jemerleene Oxciano and

Kerve M. Supnet, were admitted to the Supercon-

ductors and Semiconductors Group, respectively.

When I heard the word “Semicon”, the first thing

that came into my mind was that they were the ones

wearing jacket at summer. Ricky, Mina, Michael,

Angela, Lorenzo, Vanessa, Jemerleene, and Kerve

wore the coziest jacket they had. At a room there

these trainees’ worked on their thesis were two air-

conditions. For their OJT, they worked on their thesis

that Dr. Armando S. Somintac, assigned them to do.

They did the sample preparation, the experiments,

and the analysis using the apparatus such as Scan-

ning Electron Microscope (SEM), Optical Reflectivity,

Ellipsometer, etc. Having a serious time on their re-

search works, at lunch time we all got together and

ate our packed lunch where the entire laugh trip

happened. Vanessa, once called a “Dalagang

Pilipina” and now a “Segway Queen”, made us laugh

with all of her “segway”. Going back to their work,

their trainors, taught them about the different pro-

grams that the laboratory uses, one is Python. Py-

thon is a software where you could solve problems

using a formula that you’ve made.

And lastly, for the Theoretical Physics

Group, we had Raiseth John Fajardo as a trainee at

the said laboratory. It was furthermore divided into

three sub-groups (Galapon Group, Esguerra Group

and Palisoc Group). Each group specialized in differ-

ent fields of interest. He submitted himself to Dr.

Galapon. His group focused on the field of Quantum

and Mathematical Physics. Dr. Galapon gave a prob-

lem about the integrals involving multiple-valued

functions, incomplete gamma functions, and systems

of first order differential equation. Raiseth, as we all

know, is one of the toughest human being in the

society that can solve all this problem. When he

talked about it, we just laughed and thought about

what his question was.

In the end of our OJT in the NIP, we all

learned the art of obedience and time management.

OJT is all about obedience, obey and you won’t be

lost. Submit to the authority, because they know

what the best is for you. And most of all, rejoice,

laugh in simple terms, and enjoy the moments of

your life. Life is short. We only borrowed it, so han-

dle with care. The One above won’t let us stumble. If

He does, He knows that you can stand up and learn

from that experience.

Trainees of NIP

from Theoretical, Photonics,

Superconductor, and Semi-

conductor Laboratories. (up

to down).

January—June 2011


20

Literary

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

(PNRI) is a scientific caring mother that sways the

peaceful uses of its baby nuke. This eco-friendly

haven is best suited for research enthusiasts who

want to pursue medical and nuclear instrumenta-

tion and material science engineering.

Being one of the chosen children, this in-

stitute helps me in gaining knowledge in various

fields of research, instrument calibration, social

activities and also in putting my best foot on the

course of professionalism. This Institute greets me

with a smile on faces that naturally give off my

travelling stress. Together with my co-trainees in

Applied Physics Research Group (APRG) and Radia-

tion Protection Services (RPS): John Anthony Tan,

Ron Louie G. Palacio, Gilbert Tesalona and Kate Ann

R. Esguerra, Joniel F. Rumbawa, and Christian Val-

gomera respectively; we entered the battle of nu-

clear research and development activities with the

commensalism of knowledge and service as civil

workers. We were given the opportunity to be so-

cially active not only in our group, but also in other

divisions such as ARD, NRLSD, NSTD, FAD through

sports and gaming interests. Also we’re closed to

morality and spiritual thinking as blessed by the

motherly director Dr. Alumanda M. Dela Rosa.

I’ve observed that it’s been a habitual no-

tion to glance and tag happiness to everyone in the

compound.

This once in a lifetime training prepared us

to face the world of professionals. With this practi-

cum, we discovered different and amazing walk-

throughs in the compound, jumped to the labora-

tories, shared cranks with our bosses, ate full-

packed meals, went through dungeons, sawweir-

does and never imagined discoveries, felt the ap-

preciation of every kind of sciences, and knew our

specific goals in life.

We played with x-rays, hugged radioactive

sources, physically and mentally worked-out with 45

lead blocks (12 kilos each), fetched from deionized

water pool, play in the rain, sang along together and

mimicked each voice, slept during broken times, and

also listened to our most favorite DJ-Jasmine.

I am now an expert in, quartz-nitric acid

soup cooking, glassware dishwashing, and remod-

eling the injection type- aspirator, a good floor

manager, full time construction worker, multi-

tasked secretary, speedy encoder, sports enthusi-

ast, eco-friend, keen observant, and mathematics

jester all packed with Physics creative thinking.-

-DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

“I am now an expert in, quartz-nitric acid soup cooking, glassware dish-washing, and remodeling the injection type- aspira-tor, a good floor man-ager, full time construc-tion worker, multi-tasked secretary, speedy en-coder, sports enthusiast, eco-friend, keen obser-vant, and mathematics jester all packed with Physics creative think-

“I’ve observed that it’s

been a habitual notion

to glance and tagged

happiness to everyone

in the compound.”

From left to right.

The PNRI summer trainees:

Ron Louie G. Palacio, Kate

Ann R. Esguerra, Debbie V.

Velasquez, Gilbert Tesalona,

Joniel F. Rumbawa, Anna

Grande, Paul Chavit and

Christian S. Valgomera.

Breaking the Egg ShellBreaking the Egg Shell

-The Story Behind the Institution that Always on Easter-

January—June 2011


21

Literary

Radiation Protection Services (RPS) trainees

Applied Physics Research Group and Trainees

Nalilito. Nang malaman kong nakapasa ako sa

PUPCET, agad-agad akong tumutok sa com-

puter at binuksan ang account ng PUP. Nang

mapuntahan ko na ang mga kurso sa PUP, bigla

akong nalito. Hindi ko alam kung anong kurso

ang kukunin ko. At nakita ko na lamang ang

aking sarili na tila ba naaakit sa kursong BS

Physics. At yun na nga, mula sa araw na iyon ,

Certified BS Physics student na ako.

Naiilang. Tumapak na

nga ang aking mga paa

sa tinatawag nilang Sin-

tang Paaralan. Umakyat

sa ika-anim na palapag.

At pumasok sa N618.

Mainit. Nakakailang ang

mga kaklase ko.

Pakiramdam ko nanliliit

ako. Pero iba, naging

masaya ang unang semestre ko kasama sila.

Natatakot. Sa kabutihang palad, pumasa ako sa

unang sem. At dumating na nga ang kinatata-

kutan naming lahat, lalong lalo na ako. Dahil sa

araw na ito, haharaping ko na ang major ko,

Physics. At nagturo na nga ang aming profes-

sor. At bawat buka ng kanyang bibig ay ito na-

mang kabog ng aking dibdib. Sa wakas natapos

din siya. At hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa din

maalis ang takot sa dibdib ko.

Kinakabahan. At ilang araw pa ang nagdaan.

Marami ng mga aralin ang naituro. Marami ng

takdang aralin ang naipasa. At dumating na ang

unang pagsusulit namin. Pinagpawisan ako ng

malagkit. Kinakabahan ako, di ko alam kung

ano ang gagawin ko. Hanggang sa maubos na

ang oras. BAGSAK. At ito na lamang ang aking

nasabi, “Pito lang nasagutan

ko,...Nag-aral naman ako..”

Nagalak. At di ko namalayan,

tapos na pala ang unang

taon ko sa kanya. Kinaka-

bahan ako. Hindi ko alam

kung papasa ako. At nang

tumambad sa akin ang grado

ko sa Physics. Hooh!

PASADO.

Masaya. Dumaan pa ang isang taon, hindi ko

namalayan na minahal ko na pala ang kursong

ito. Na nakikita ko ang aking sarili na nag-aaral

tungkol sa Physics. Masaya na ako rito. Mag-

mula sa libro, aparato, guro, hanggang sa mga

kaklase ko… masasabi kong dito na nga ako. At

sa mga ito, ipagpapatuloy ko pa ang paglalak-

bay na aking nasimulan.

-RHEYMAR MORALES

Game Over!

RONALD A. ANONUEVO

Watching the moon,

while it’s smiling

through it’s phase,

I realized that the sky

is the greatest place;

Because gazing at that

star above my face…

Is the only one who knows

my secret as a phrase!

Each one’s life is

like a game;

When you win, you

will have all the fame,

And when you lose,

maybe you can cry

under the rain,

Always remember,

no PAIN…no GAIN!

Going out alive is a

God’s gift,

Bringing yourself for

Him by retreat;

For Him, no one of us

will be drifted

Because our Father…

will let us be provided.

Game over is not

the sign of end,

It’s a new beginning on

how you will defend;

Your soul, mind,

and heart…don’t teach

how to pretend,

Because in our life,

and in our game,

God is our only friend.

January—June 2011


Fear Not: Radioactivity...


The probably most common forms of non – ionizing radiation are the infrared and Blue-

tooth. With just a simple click of a button it enables us to transfer files from one device to an-

other via these, making things convenient for people. On the other hand, ionizing radiation is

used in powering electricity and innovations in the field of medicine. These are only some of the

benefits we can get from radiation.

In 1945, the Americans discharged the Enola Gay, a plane carrying atomic missile. The

Japanese, having mocked and degraded its ability, were astonished when the bomb landed and

caused everything in its path to be ruined. The atomic bomb was a nuclear mechanism that is

designed to explode and annihilate anything on its course. It is considered to be a weapon of

mass destruction, a negative fact that we should take consideration.

Currently, it seems that history is planning to repeat itself. Not in Japan but in the Philip-

pines. Like any common belief, what Filipinos do not know, they are afraid of. Our lack of knowl-

edge will make us susceptible to the adverse effects of radiation. This is a reflection that we

should understand and to be aware of. Listen. Think. Act. Let’s keep in mind that knowledge is

power and need not be afraid of radiation. We shouldn’t be afraid of what we don’t know, the

right attitude therefore is be eager to know. -RON LOUIE G. PALACIO

22

Literary

January—June 2011


23

YUTA LOUIE ROLA

The man who carries a book

That looks like a bible.

The man who loves to read

But not to memorize.

The man who sleeps late

But comes early in the class

The man who erases the board

By the aid of wet cloth.

The man who attracts every-

thing

But in a gravitational way.

The man who can

treat you special

Not more special than relativity.

The man who can relates all

By the use of their principles.

And that man is called

The Physicist – Revealing Fables

Unang bulas sa Iluminasyon

Piring sa gamundong tradisyon

Kuyom ng basag na Nasyon

Nang taong pinid sa Impormasyon.

Sa konsepto ng paglalang

Isang moog na karunungan

Impit ng kanyang pagsilang

Ang pag-unga ng liknayan.

Dinarang ng paghuhusga

Siniil ng mura at kontrobersiya

Sa lumping lupong na katanikala

Ng agham ay hindi makalaya.

Ngunit ng magbukas-isip ang tao

Bayan, mundo, nagkadunong

at natuto

Umunlad, sumiwang ang talino

Tapak ng tagumpay sa siyentipiko.

Sinukob ng natural na ideolohiya

Hinawi, at kumalag ang mga teorya

Batas na dumalong sa siyensiya

Sa aplikasyong umanak ng teknolohiya.

Sa modernong anyo ng panahon

Sa liwanag ng bawat nasyon

Sa pantas ng henerasyon,

Liknayan ang pundasyon.

ALDRIN S. BENDALALDRIN S. BENDALALDRIN S. BENDALALDRIN S. BENDAL

As we open our eyes

To see the morning light

And the blue of the skies

Amidst eagles in fight

Cover the land with warm breath

From vast space above head

Surround the world like wreath

Should we take care ‘till end

Till time we go to bed

Till life goes to a halt

The world would go ahead

And last like works of art.

God’ s grace is all around

He gave us intellect

To know how vague all was

How intricate He made

All of the things we’re blessed

-JOHN PATRICK L. PORCADILLA

Tulang ginawa upang ika’y hikayatin Na maisakatuparan ang pangarap

natin Ibig kong ito’y iyong bigkasin

At hindi lamang basta baliwalain.

Sa liknakayan, ang mukhang imposible, Ay di maaring hindi na bale.

Mga bagay-bagay ay importante, Kaya kadalasa’y maraming kadebate.

Inaaral ay di basta-basta Kadalasan ay nagkukwenta

Mahalaga rin ang bawat salita, Magbasa ng maigi ng makita.

Kursong sa iba ay angat,

Kaya’t dapat maging maingat Siguradong wala silang binatbat, Kapag ikaw na ang bumanat.

Ang bayan sa atin nakasalalay Kaya pag-aaral ay gawing tunay,

Diyos ang gawing gabay Puso dito’y nararapat ialay.

Pangarap na makatapos, Ay di dapat maupos.

Payo ko, mag-aral ng puspos Upang kinabukasa’y di makapos.

----LOUIE JANE R. RICO

Liknay i smoLiknay i smoLiknay i smoLiknay i smo

Nature’s BlessingsNature’s BlessingsNature’s BlessingsNature’s Blessings

Literary

January—June 2011

Fabrication and Characterization of Extremely Thick Macroporous Silicon Layer Synthesized via Electrochemical Etching

Roma S. Lopez, Jobelle J. Gimeno, Ryan T. Diocampo


24

Abstract

Extremely thick macroporous silicon layers were fabricated from n-type silicon (100) wafers by electrochemical etching in ethanoic

solution of hydrofluoric acid. At constant anodization time and electrolytic concentration the effects of current density variation on porous

silicon formation were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL).

1. Introduction

Active research in porous silicon

(pSi) began in 1990 when Leigh Canham

showed visible photoluminescence for pSi at

room temperature [1]. From then on, proper-

ties of pSi were investigated using various

techniques such as x-ray diffraction, scanning

electron microscopy, transmission electron

microscopy, current-voltage photoacoustic

characterizations are among others [2-5]. Its

distinctive property from that of bulk silicon

makes it potentially useful for a wide range

of applications in optoelectronics, microelec-

tronics, sensors and actuators, chemical sen-

sors and biological applications [12]. How-

ever, most researches used boron-doped (p-

type) silicon substrates. Literatures regarding

porous structures formed in phosphorous-

doped (n-type) substrates were not as vast as

that of p-type silicon.

Electrochemical etching in Teflon

beaker is the simplest cell to fabricate pSi [6].

The crystalline silicon substrate acts as the

anode while a nonreactive metal as the cath-

ode and an aqueous hydrofluoric acid (HF)

solution serves as the electrolyte. The hydro-

phobic nature of silicon requires the addition

of ethanol in the electrolyte solution to pro-

mote deeper penetration on the silicon lay-

ers. It also improves lateral homogeneity and

uniformity of pSi as well as remedies hydro-

gen evolution during the reaction [7]. Either

voltage or anodic current can be supplied to

the cell although, the latter is preferred be-

cause it allows better control on porosity and

thickness [6,7].

Researches on extremely thick

macroporous silicon have not been ex-

hausted up to this date since its novel appli-

cations are not yet realized. This paper pre-

sents the fabrication and characteristics of

extremely longmacroporous silicon layers

formed from n-type silicon substrate via elec-

trochemical etching. Characteristic properties

were analyzed through X-ray diffraction and

Photoluminescence spectroscopy.

2. Experimental Details

An n-type Si (100) substrate having a

resistivity of 0.04-0.08 ohm-cm was used in

this study. The samples were cleaned using

standard degreasing method. The cleaned

silicon substrates were then etched using

24% HF concentration in absolute ethanol

(1:1) for 40 minutes at fixed anodic current

with corresponding current densities, 10 mA/

cm2, 50 mA/cm2, and 100 mA/cm2.

The etched silicon samples were

then characterized using Philips XL-30 FE-

SEM for the determination of the pore di-

mension, crystallinity and crystal quality de-

termination using Bede D3 HRXRD. Room

temperature photoluminescence (PL) spec-

troscopy was also performed. Excitation was

provided by a 488 nm Ar+ laser operating at

30 mW. PL from the sample was dispersed by

a SPEX 500m single-grating monochromator

and was detected by Hamamatsu R636 GaAs

photomultiplier tube. An optical filter with

cutoff of <620 nm was used to protect the

detector from scattered laser lines.

3. Results and Discussion

Porous silicon is a sponge-like struc-

ture made up of Si skeleton in nanometric

dimensions [13]. These dimensions are deter-

mined by different parameters such as cur-

rent density, electrolyte concentration, dop-

ing concentration and etching time. By con-

trolling the anodic current itself, different

sizes of pores can be produced [8].

In Figure 1, SEM cross sectional images of the

etched pores at different anodic current den-

sities are shown.

Figure 1: SEM cross-sectional micrographs show-

ing the (a) pore width and (b) thickness of pSi

fabricated using different anodic current.

Figure 2: XRD spectra of crystalline porous silicon

anodized for 40 minutes at 10 mA/cm 50 mA/cm2,

and 100 mA/cm2.

SEM analysis, it was observed that

the pore width and thickness are 3rd sample

which was anodized for 100mA. Thus, ex-

tremely long high porosity . crystalline po-

rous silicon anodized for 40 minutes at 10

mA/cm 50 mA/cm2, and 100 mA/cm

2.

Pore width and thickness of the pSi

layers were then measured from the images

and were summarized in 2. The thickness of

the samples ranged nm to 160 nm. As given

by IUPAC classification of pore size, a pore

width greater than 50 nm is classified under

the “macro” type of pore [7].

X-ray diffraction is a versatile, non-

Research

Figure 1 (a)

Figure 1 (b)

Figure 1 (a)

January—June 2011

destructive technique in determining crys-

tallographic structure of crystalline materi-

als. It allows the determination of the de-

gree of crystallinity, lattice mismatch, ex-

pansion and strain, as well as the chemical

composition.

Peak broadening and decrease in

intensity was observed in the XRD spectra.

As the current density increases, the greater

offset of the XRD spectra from ideal spectra

whereas, the more perfect the crystal, the

sharper the peaks. A possible implication of

this is the breakdown of the crystal struc-

ture of silicon during formation of pSi at

higher current density. Furthermore, be-

cause of the interconnected branches of

pSi, holes are depleted from the silicon sur-

face into a preferential transport of holes

resulting to surface irregularities [9].

Irregularities in crystal structures

are also indicated by PL measurements, low

PL efficiency was also observed in collapsed

sample as reported in earlier studies [14].

This is due to the increase in non-radiated

recombination probability.

Figure 3 shows the PL peak posi-

tions of the most optically active region in

the samples. The sudden drop seen in the

PL spectra is due to the filter cutoff used in

the set-up. In the PL spectra, peak positions

are observed at round 1.7 eV, which corre-

sponds to red photoluminescence. Here, a

slight blue shifting of the PL peak positions

are evident. The pSi etched at 10 mA had its

PL peak position at 1.73 eV. This shifted to

about 1.77 eV for the samples etched at 50

and 100 mA. This blue shifting may be ex-

plained by quantum confinement as a con-

sequence of an increase in apparent energy

gap [16].

It was observed that as the sup-

plied current is increased from 10 mA to 50

mA, the PL intensity also increased. This was

due to the increase of mount of pSi formed

during etching as the supplied current is

increased. On the other hand, the PL inten-

sity decreased for the samples etched using

anodic current of 100 mA.

This may be due to the degradation

of the topmost pSi layer, which can be ob-

served in Figure 1b. For this set of samples,

optimum PL efficiency is therefore achieved

for the sample with anodic current of 50

mA. In any case, it was observed that the

FWHM narrows as the etching current is

increased.

Figure 3. Normalized PL spectra of PSi formed at

room temperature of 10 mA/cm2, 50 mA/cm

2

and 100 mA/cm2 at 24% HF for 40 minutes.

100mA 50mA 10mA 36.642 80.94 165.8

4. Conclusion We have successfully fabricated

extremely long macroporous having a thick-

ness up to 130 µm with pore width of 160

nm for the sample etched at 50 to 100mA.

XRD spectra showed that the pSi formed at

10 mA which measures to a thickness of 80

µm exhibit almost no deformation on silicon

structure. PL measurements showed the

expected trend where high porosity pSi

have greater blue shift for samples that did

not collapse.

Acknowledgement We acknowledge financial support

from UP-OVCRD, DOST-PCASTRD and OST-

SEI.

References [1] L. T. Canham, “Silicon quantum wire array

fabrication by electrochemical and chemical

dissolution of wafers”, Appl. Phys. Lett., 57, 1046

(1990).

[2] Jia, S.L. Zang, S.P. Wong, I.H. Wilson, S.K.

Hardk, Z.F. Liu and S.M. Cai, “Further evidence

for the quantum confined electrochemisty model

of the formation of p-type porous silicon”,Appl.

Phys.Lett. 69 (1996) 339.

[3] M. Jayachandran, M. Paramasivam, K.R. Mu-

rali, D.C. Trivedi and M. Raghavan, “Synthesis of

porous silicon nanostructures for photolumines-

cent devices”, Mater. Phys. Mech., 4, 143-147

(2001).

[4] Q. Shen, T. Takahashi and T. Toyoda,

“Characterization of optical and thermal proper-

ties of porous silicon using photoacoustic tech-

nique”, Anal. Sci., 17, 281 (2001).

[5] P. Pirasteh, J. Charrier, A. Soltani, S. Haesaert,

L. Haji, C. Godon, and N. Errien, “The effects of

oxidation on physical properties of porous silicon

layers for optical applications”, App. Surf. Sci.,

253, 1999-2002

[6] A. Halimaoui in: L.T. Canham (Ed.),

“Properties of Porous Silicon,” IEE INSPEC, the

Institution of

Electrical Engineers, London, 12 (1997).

[7] O. Bisi, S. Ossicini and L. Pavesi, “Porous sili-

con: a quantum sponge structure for silicon

based optoelectronics”, Surf. Sci. Rep., 38, 6

(2000).

[8] E.X. Perez, “Design, Fabrication, and Charac-

terization of Porous Silicon Multilayer Optical

Devices,” 2007.

[9] C. Vinegoni, M. Cazzanelli, L. Pavesi, “Porous

Silicon Microcavities”, Dept.of Physics, 2000.

[10] K. Fukami, H. Kamakura, T. Sakka, Y.H.

Ogata, “Formation Mechanism of Porous Silicon

with Medium Pores: the Role of KMnO4”, Insti-

tute of Advance Energy, Kyoto University Uji,

Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.

[11] A. Saha, S.H. Dutta, S.M. Hossain, S. Chak-

raborty, A. Saha, “Mechanism and control of

formation of porous silicon on p-type Si”, Dept of

Physics, revised March 7, 1998.

[12] V. Parkhutik, ”Porous silicon--mechanisms of

growth and applications,” Solid-State Electronics

43 (1999) pp 1121-1141.

[13] R.J. Martin-Palma, L. Pascual, A.R. Landa-

Canovas, P. Herrero, J.M. Martinez-Duart,

“HRTEM analysis of the nanostructure of porous

silicon,” Materials Science and Engineering C 26

(2006) pp.830 – 834.

[14] G. Le´rondel, G. Amato, A. Parisini, L.

Boarino, ”Porous silicon nanocracking,” Materi-

als Science and Engineering B 69–70 (2000) 161–

166.

[15] A. Janshoff, K.P.S. Dancil, C. Steinem, D.P.

Greiner, V.S-Y. Lin, C. Gurtner, K. Motesharei,

M.J. Sailor, and M.R. Ghadiri, "Macroporous p-

Type Silicon Fabry-Perot Layers. Fabrication,

Characterization, and Applications in Biosens-

ing," J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1998 120, pp 12108-

12116.

[16] S.S. Iyer and Y-H. Xie, “Light Emission From

Silicon in Porous Silicon” Zhe Chuan Feng and

Rafael Tsu(ed). World Scientific Publishing Co.

Pte. Ltd., Singapore, 1994.


25

Research

“Science, technology, production—

what are they without

PEOPLE?”

-Joan Hinton (1921—2010)

Shattered Glass Door ProbeShattered Glass Door ProbeShattered Glass Door ProbeShattered Glass Door Probe

at NALLRC PUP Manilaat NALLRC PUP Manilaat NALLRC PUP Manilaat NALLRC PUP Manila

JONIEL F. RUMBAWA and LORENZO P. LOPEZ JR.

The pair of the glass door shattered (upper

photo). Fragment from the shattered door

(above).

January—June 2011

PENDULUM ANNALIZA M. AMO and JOSEPH A. DE

MESA

A child who used to play on a rocking

chair can explain the physics of a pendulum.

Children know how hard they have to push off

to keep going and how firm their feet on the

ground should be. They will experience a brief

moment of floating where they sat motionless

in mid-air as the swing changes its direction.

A pendulum is a mechanical device

which is composed of a string and a bob that is

able to swing freely when force is applied. Gali-

leo is often credited for having the discovery of

pendulum principles when he observed the

swinging chandeliers in Pisa cathedral. The

story may be no more than a myth today but

rather the great scientific discovery contributed

to the world's knowledge and understandings

of pendulums. There are a lot of types of pen-

dulum, simple and conical pendulum is given a

focus here. It is about on how the period of a

simple pendulum and conical pendulum varies

with the length of the pendulum, and the mag-

nitude of the bob’s displacement from the

equilibrium position.

A simple pendulum is one in which the

mass of the pendulum is concentrated at a

point. It is obvious that the mass of a simple

pendulum cannot be located at a point, since a

point is defined as position without dimen-

sions. However, the length of the string or wire

supporting the mass (called the bob) can be

large in comparison with the diameter of the

bob. A conical pendulum is a weight (or bob)

fixed on the end of a string (or rod) suspended

from a pivot. Its construction is similar to an

ordinary pendulum; however, instead of rock-

ing back and forth, the bob of a conical pendu-

lum moves at a constant speed in a circle with

the string (or rod) tracing out a cone. (http://

www.lopezlink.com/Labs/Pendulum_Lab/

pendulum_lab.html)

This investigation aimed to know the

factors affecting the period of simple and coni-

cal pendulum. Using corks, string and force

frame as the major materials, we recorded the

time it takes the cork for one complete cycle.

By varying the possible variables present, we’ve

concluded that the period of simple and conical

pendulum is dependent on the length of the

string, the mass of the cork and the angle of


People living where snow occurs use hot waters to remove the ices that are

gathered. This is because hot water melts ice faster compared to cold water. As many

anticipate cold water freeze faster than hot water --- because compared to cold water,

hot water needs to cool down first before starting to freeze while cold water will just

start to freeze.

Mpemba effect is a phenomenon which occurs mostly in water, in which the hot

water, under some circumstances freezes faster than the cold water in any controlled

environment. This phenomenon has been described by a Tanzanian student named Er-

asto Mpemba observing his freezing hot ice cream mix and noticed that it freezes faster

than the cold ice cream mixes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect)

We conducted an experiment that would ratify this effect in other types of liq-

uid like --- fish sauce, vinegar, soy sauce and evaporated milk -- liquids that had other

chemicals. We set a 5ml of each of a kind in a test tube. Next, we boiled each liquid to

reach its boiling point ----- we set that it would be at 100o Celsius. Then, as the testing

product reach it; we put it on the ice bath which had a rubber stopper to trap the tem-

perature in the vicinity and a thermometer to see the variation of the time of freezing.

We waited and then recorded the interval of each liquid as they reached at 0o Celsius. As

it happened, we observed and studied. We did again the process but in another tem-

perature --- room temperature. continued on page 27

26

On March 8, 2009 an unexplainable incident

happened at the NALRC ICT, Center PUP Sta.

Mesa Manila. Based from the witnesses of the

incident only the left side of the pair of the

glass door was shattered violently without any

intentional physical means such as smashing,

lightning, thunder, and wind current from the

outside. The only activity on the site was the

drilling activity on a wall opposite the glass

door. The strong sound waves emitted by the

drilling activity produced a single specific fre-

quency that reflected on the wall and focused

on the left side of the glass door that matched

the natural frequency of the glass itself so that

was why the left side of the glass door was

only shattered. The phenomenon in which the

increase in amplitude of oscillation of a me-

chanical system when it is subjected to vibra-

tion from another source near its own natural

frequency or the resonant frequency is that

energy is being transferred to the system un-

der the most favorable condition is known as

resonance. continued on page 27

KEVIN P. DOMINGO

ARIANNE GAIL S. RIVERA

Furnace is an equipment that can

generate heat, a temperature as high as

1100oC. With this, heat treatments like braz-

ing, sintering and annealing of materials

would be possible. Therefore, new material

from raw can be fabricated accordingly as well

as substance modifications.

Thin films and nanostructures like

ceramic superconductors are examples of the

products produced by the use of a furnace.

Research in these topics is currently active

and continually expanding.

To be competitive in such research,

L. Gianan, R. Maquinad and V. Sayson, and I

supervised by our NIP-CMPL-Superconductor

advisers constructed a box furnace to develop

our potentials especially in the field of Mate-

rial Science.

These are all achievable for the fol-

lowing reasons:

1. Furnace is already available in the

PUP- College of Science Laboratory

2. Chemicals in making samples are

obtainable

3. There are accessible instructors

who specializes the line of work stated.

In conclusion; furnace is built, new

materials can be fabricated, and unstoppable

research has just started in PUP, henceforth,

we, students of science will be proficient as

we move to different industries.

January—June 2011


27

The furnace.

Freezing...Freezing... continued from page 26

Why did we use this type of experiment? It would be easy for us to identify

which of which were valid. All of them actually froze faster as they were hot and those

that were cold took a long time to reach their freezing points. The result shown in the

table --- milk has the shortest time to reach its boiling point and the soy sauce has the

longest period. Now, we can wholly say that the Milk has the great potential to exhibit

Mpemba effect. In a relative manner, soy sauce, vinegar and fish sauce also validated the

said effect but it is too quite. For the good outcome of the study, it is convenient to per-

form it in a laboratory

What are the possible causes of this effect? This behaviour exhibited by certain

liquids is thought to have violated the laws of thermody-

namics but they actually do not. Even if there is no con-

clusive explanation about this, several physical factors are

considered why this behaviour of certain liquids occurs.

These include the concepts of evaporation. Although this

does not account for the whole effect, it does contribute

because it reduces the volume of the boiling sample. Con-

vection is another factor. Higher convection in the

warmer water may spread the ice crystals faster. Frost

also has its contribution on the effect. It has insulating

effects. The warmer water will tend to freeze from the

bottom while the lower-temperature water tend to

freeze from atop. Super cooling is also considered. It is

thought that lower-temperature water when placed in a cold environment cools faster

than warm water but solidifies slower at the same time.

It depends also on the set-up of the experiment and the materials used may also

affect the variation of the outcome of the study.

In fact, as we will see, there are multiple papers confirming the exis-

tence of the Mpemba effect and we just opened it again for you to know a phenomenon

that is not taught nowadays. It is also clear that scientists’ theoretical views influence

what experiments they choose to do, to trust and to think about.

Some liquid samples that have

the Mpemba property.

Shattered Glass Door Probe... continued from page 26

Resonance is a very interesting and very powerful phenomenon. In a related

relation for another vivid dramatic demonstration of resonance is when a singer broke a

glass by just singing in high pitch note. The singer creates sound wave with a frequency

equal to the natural frequency of the glass, causing the glass to vibrate at its natural or

resonant frequency so energetically that causes to glass itself to shatter.

According to Mr. Rogelio G. Dizon who is the first investigator on this incidence,

the possible cause for this incidence is resonance. Based on our further reinvestigation we

found out also that resonance is only the possible cause why the glass door shattered in

the said area. (R. Dizon, PUP Manila, 2009)

PENDULUM


Nowadays, pendulums have many real-world uses in science and other fields.

The most commonly recognized use of pendulums is in keeping time observed in clocks. It

is also widely used in music, also in presentation of magic tricks, it can also used in accel-

erometers the devices that measure acceleration.

In cooperation with the PUP In cooperation with the PUP Physics Society

theme, an introduction of its theme, an introduction of its first ever hymn was

composed by Debinya B. composed by Debinya B.

Buenafe, a BS Physics junior Buenafe, a BS Physics junior

student. It was presented student. It was presented

during the 13th General during the 13th General

AssemAssembly marking a new marking a new face

for the society. Truthe society. Truly, it is the the

golden golden era for the Physics Physics

students.

The Physics Hymn

harmonically states the life

of every physics students

now and then. Most of them

find it a stressor, a curse

rather than a course.

Staring, at his own notes,

trying to understand each of

their concepts. Some

thought that physics is

boldly written in the

language of mathematics:

integration, exponential

f u n c t i o n s , d i f f e r e n t

logarithmic properties ,

t r i g o n o m e t r y a n d

algebra...Man! My brain

may pop at any moment.

Getting a failing grade

is not always an option. It is

an absurd action for every

physics-competitor. Thinking

of much for the future is a

literal stupidity. By way,

things must go on, since, in every challenge, there’s a

helping hand that always backs-up.

Physics is not only a subject of knowledge. It is a

subject of imagination

together with hard work. The

reality of each combined

dimensional space is purely its

secret. It is a collection of

factional data of any man of

the history. Remember,

Mohammad even uttered,

“split an atom and in its heart

you’ll find a sun.”

PUP Physics Society

visions every student to

appreciate and to have an

acclivity of awareness of all

physics behind.

Life is full of surprises

and still, these are logically

arranged to any physics

concepts. If it can’t be

explained by Newton, try

Einstein. If it does not work,

go on to Quantum YET if still it

doesn’t work, make a

research, make a study. Who

knows you’ll be a Nobel prize

awardee.

Things are part

of the growing knowledge. It is

how we accede every

momentum, where PhySoc

always have an open-hand for

every interested body.

-DEBBIE V. VELASQUEZ

My My hymnhymn

My My disc ipl ined i sc ipl ine

January—June 2011


NotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotesNotes

28

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