2021 Spring Meeting
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was presented virtually (via Zoom) and was free to attend.
Hosted by Wingate University and Davidson College
Held jointly with the Tennessee Section of the AAPT (TAAPT)
April 10, 2021
Meeting Highlights
Can you Surf a Gravitational Wave? Explaining LIGO Science
Amber Stuver - Villanova University
The first detection of gravitational waves (GW) by LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) has sparked new interest from physics and astronomy students in the often explosive processes and exotic objects that can be observed. This presentation will introduce the science of what GWs are and how LIGO detects them. We will also discuss several detections of gravitational waves, including describing the sources that created the GW. Most importantly, we will discuss how you can make connections between the science of GW and the concepts you are teaching in your high school and college classrooms. A summary list of resources will be provided, many of which will also be appropriate for public outreach purposes.