Venue: NUS
Date & Time: 7 July 2021, 2.30pm — 6.00pm
First, I explored many of the chemical equipment and tools used to carry out certain experiments. This fuelled my curiosity and interest in Chemistry greatly, and it also greatly incited me into studying Chemistry SL in IB! (I wasn’t originally planning to study any Chemistry) In addition to that, I watched two other scientists carry out their respective experiments. [see below] They were very meticulous and skilful in their work, and they have a clear purpose and direction in their experiments, taking readings and handling equipment skillfully.
The specific equipment I like most during my visit was the Vacuum Technology [see right], where a set of equipment was contained in a locked space separated by glass, and there were two places where one could extend their hand in and do the experiment. I also learnt that you can control the amount of pressure in the set-up on a control panel. I wore gloves and the two scientists guided me to extend my hand inside it to feel the equipment inside. It is indeed very fascinating and majestic. At one point, I asked one of them what the equipment is used for. They said that some of the experiments require more pressure than the atmospheric pressure, so it needs to be locked up.
Another set of very interesting equipment is the filtration apparatus. [see below] Different kinds of pipes stick out of the conical flash, and I was told that one is to collect the gas created by the reaction. I was mesmerized by the complexity of the equipment and it enthused me to do some hands-on experiments and observations on the experimental set-up.
When I went into the scientists’ lab, one of them, who was introducing me to all of the chemical equipment, showed me his experiment. The purpose of his experiment is to find a suitable material for an experimental setup. He told me that he tried different kinds of materials for his experiment and is now trying to find the right one.
I was intrigued by a specific type of pipette. This pipette is unlike the plastic ones I normally see in the school laboratory [left], this one can absorb a fixed amount of liquid.[right] I was told that it is much more accurate and precise than the plastic ones normally used in my school laboratory.
The professional pipette [right] has digital readings to control the amount of liquid absorbed. For example, when you want to collect exactly 14.0cm3 of chemical, you can set the pipette to a specific number and it can help keep track of the amount of liquid. Owning to my curiosity, I tried to draw tap water by using the equipment. [see above] The scientists carefully and patiently guided me on how to use the pipette. For example, where to push and how hard I should push the pipette to achieve precision. In the end, I tried discarding the pipette sucker that is used once only. I heard the satisfying ‘pop’ sound as the thing goes off. So interesting!
The photo above shows the Centre for Advanced 2D Materials. I was told that the centre is one of the biggest rooms in the entire university. Unluckily, I could not go into it to explore more. Despite having to admire it from the outside, I was very captivated by the scientists’ enthusiasm when they are talking about how there were 3 more rooms at the back. Unfortunately, I could not go into it because of the pandemic.
There, I watched scientists analyse their experimental data from a glass panel. It is definitely a disappointment because I did not get to watch them up close! However, I felt the dedication, determination and effort they put into their work from a distance. They really like what they are doing and are dedicated to their job! I want to be just like them in the future, analysing patterns and trends in data and doing experiments again and again until you get the desired results and conclusion. The accomplishment you get from doing a successful experiment is incomparable to normal happiness in one’s everyday life.
Last but not least, the piece of equipment that drew my attention is a balance. This may sound absurd, but the balance can measure up to 0.000001g. It is extremely sensitive to changes in weight. Most interestingly, one of the sensitive balances reads 0.000007g. There was nothing on top of the balance. It must be the result of the last experiment performed on the balance! It is quite amazing how the balance can detect super minor changes in mass!
Then, I chatted with Zhao scientist from yesterday and I explored parts of atomic physics with him, and he answered most of my doubts. I learnt about the 4 big forces on Earth: gravitational force (attraction between two objects which has mass), strong interaction (a force that holds the nucleus of an atom together), the electromagnetic force (force between two magnets to put it simply), and weak interaction (a force that a particle emits when it is undergoing radioactive decay). I also learnt that because of the atmospheric pressure, we as humans would not expand and explode! This is because we have a force inside us that causes us to expand and burst. The atmospheric pressure is the only force that is pressing down on every one of us to stop us from “bursting” into pieces. This is what explains the phenomenon that if someone would not wear a spacesuit to space, he will not survive. Next, we explored different aspects of physics, and he answered many troubling questions of mine.
Dr Zhao also showed me his scientific thesis writing on Superconductors. It is very complex, full of mathematical formulas and scientific words. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it and was particularly attracted by the complexity of it. It was never like anything I saw before! This is the first time I witness a professional scientific thesis writing! In addition to words and formulas, there were colourful pictures used to depict the evidence behind all of the conclusions drawn.
Most importantly, I discovered that my interest in physics lay in experimental physics. That means I love to discover new things through hands-on experiments and make discoveries using them. The scientist also suggested that I make a drone from scratch to find out if my interest really lay in experimental physics! Towards the end of my visit, I learned that to be a successful physicist, I need to spend large amounts of my time in a lab (they work from 7 am-11 pm!). This lets me have more confidence that my interests lays in physics now because time passes so fast once I am in the lab and enquiring the scientists’ questions!
