Wed, Sep 16 — Kent Gee
Affiliation:BYU Physics and Astronomy
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: C215 ESC
or Live Online
The Sound of Speed: Rocket Launch Noise, Sonic Booms, and Explosions
Although high-speed turbulent jets have been studied since the 1950s, predicting the sound they produce remains a challenging problem in physics. In the BYU Physics and Aerospace Student-Centered Acoustics Laboratory (PASCAL), we investigate aircraft and rocket noise, asking age-old questions important to both physics and philosophy: Where does it come from? What makes it unique? Where is it going? Why does it matter?
In this presentation, I’ll discuss recent PASCAL research on rocket noise, including cases when things go right (launch noise and sonic booms) and when they don’t (explosions). We’ll talk about how these sounds affect structures, humans, and wildlife. I’ll also share lessons from measurement successes and failures, as well as from engaging with government officials, the media, and local communities.
Biographical Sketch:
Kent Gee is a professor of physics at Brigham Young University, where he studies some of the loudest sound sources ever. He joined the BYU faculty in 2005 after a PhD in acoustics at Penn State. Kent’s a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and was the recipient of the 2024 Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Fellowship.
Wed, Sep 30 — Chad Orzel
Affiliation:Union College
Time: 4 pm
Location: C215 ESC
or Live Online
Wed, Oct 7 — Dwain Desbian
Affiliation:Estrella County Community College
Time: 4 pm
Location: C215 ESC
or Live Online
Physics teaching
Wed, Oct 28 — Dennis Parker
Affiliation:University of Utah
Time: 4 pm
Location: C215 ESC
or Live Online
All are welcome to attend. Speakers generally keep presentations accessible to undergraduate physics students.