Year 11 GCSE Students were treated to ademonstration lecture designed to celebrate the UNESCO International Year of Light
Presented by Dr Peter Hoare (Newcastle University)
During the presentation Dr Peter Hoare showed how light is fundamental to life on our planet and the seminar showcased not only this, but how scientists
are developing new and more efficient ways of harnessing the energy from sunlight in a sustainable way for the benefit of mankind.
Similarly, our perception and recognition of colours are also fundamental to both our survival and our enjoyment of modern life.
The lecture explored some processes in chemistry which either produce or use light energy under four themes of “reactions”, “combustion”, “…essences”
and “rates” with lots of colourful and sometimes dramatic demonstrations – with the occasional whoosh and even bang!