I usually don’t get too excited for physics lab every week. I guess it’s because it’s right after my OChem lab, which is usually pretty intense and hands-on (but in a good way!). Physics labs are usually a bit more relaxed, and you also have to do a set of questions and a quiz at the end, so there is more writing involved. Last semester, I took the “Mechanics” lab, so we got to study a lot of physical movement like elastic collisions and pendulums. This semester is the “Electricity and Magnetism” lab, so we have been building curcuits and things like that. I’ve basically decided that I would be an awful electrical engineer, because circuits still boggle me 🙁
The Helmholz Coil we used!
However, last week’s lab was pretty different, and really cool! We got to measure the path that an electron takes in a magnetic field. Basically, we used a Helmholz coil to generate a magnetic field, and then set up a power supply and an ammeter as well. Then we use a bulb with helium to see the electrons and their behavior in the magnetic field. Basically, the electrons collide with helium and produce this greenish glow during emission, so we could see them! It was really cool to adjust the power settings and change the pathway. And the end-of-the-lab questions weren’t too bad either! Overall, it was a really interesting lab, and I thought it was a lot of fun.
https://twitter.com/mdkrulce/status/306545802392780800
Lastly, just a quick update after my last blog. If you read it all the way through, you saw me mention my application to an international internship. Well, I heard back last Friday, and it was great news! I was nominated for a chemical engineering position in Germany this summer (it was my top choice)! This is basically the last round of the program, and I am so excited that I made it to this point. It has been quite a lengthy process, and I can’t believe all the hard work paid off. Essentially, the company will be getting my resume and cover letter from the United States office, saying that I am the U.S. candidate selected for the nomination. Hopefully they choose to accept me (it sounds like I have a pretty good chance at this point)! The company is a specialty chemicals company, and they do everything from biotechnology to plastics, catalysts to chemicals. I have no idea what part of the company I will be working in, but I think it will be a blast wherever I am working. I’m even getting paid and set up with housing! I am looking forward to hearing back from them soon. Stay tuned for more updates from me (or check my Twitter to see more recent updates!) Should be an interesting summer 🙂
Where I might be this summer!
