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Physics and Astronomy Calendar

Wednesday, October 4th 2006
Speaker: Frank Wilczek, Herman Feshbach Professor of Physics, Massachussetts Institute of Technology, 2004 Nobel Laureate
Subject: The Origin of Mass and Feebleness of Gravity
Refreshments to follow in the Atrium.

Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 asserts that energy and mass are different aspects of the same reality. It is usually associated with the idea that the small amounts of mass can be converted into large amounts of energy, as in nuclear reactors and bombs.

For fundamental physics, however, the more important idea is just the opposite. We want to explain how mass itself arises, by explaining it in terms of more basic concepts.

An important part of my work has been to show that this goal can, to a remarkable extent, be achieved. I'll discuss how - it's quite beautiful! I'll also discuss some of the consequences - an explanation of why gravity is so feeble, and suggestions for new physical phenomena at the large hadron collider.

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