TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama department of physics and astronomy invites the public to stop by their tent on the Quad before two home football games in celebration of the World Year of Physics 2005.

“The World Year of Physics in 2005 is an international celebration of the science, featuring activities that highlight the vitality of physics and its importance in the new millennium,” said Dr. Gary J. Mankey, UA professor of physics.

The physics and astronomy tent will be part of Kickoff on the Quad events for both the UA vs. Tennessee game on Oct. 22 and the UA vs. Utah State game on Oct. 29. Demonstrations will include experiments that illustrate contemporary physics concepts developed by the UA physics faculty.

“Students and faculty will be available to provide displays, demonstrations and hands-on experiments for attendees, along with give-aways,” said Mankey.

Faculty members will be coordinating the tent activities with the assistance of students from the local chapter of the Society of Physics Students. Visitors who participate in the experiments will receive free tops and yo-yos, items which illustrate key physics concepts, according to Mankey.

The World Year of Physics is an international event celebrating the importance of physics by bringing seminars and experiments to the public to inspire new generations to get involved with the science. The event also commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the contributions of Albert Einstein. In 1905, known as Einstein’s “miraculous year,” he produced four papers that have since influenced all of modern physics.

For more information, contact Mankey at 205/348-7793.