Vortragsthemen & Termine
December 12, 2026 (Starts at 10:15)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Physics and Winter Sports – When Humans Fly and Stones Curve
Why does a curling stone curve even though no one is touching it anymore? Why do figure skaters suddenly start spinning faster and faster? Why do ski jumpers soar beyond 250 meters, even though humans aren't actually capable of flight? And why, in bobsleighing, do mere millimeters sometimes decide between gold and silver? Plus, what do winter sports have to do with cats? 😉 In this entertaining presentation featuring live experiments, we go behind the scenes of the Winter Games to discover that it isn't magic at work, but fascinating physics. Look forward to surprising experiments, spectacular slow-motion footage, and plenty of "aha!" moments involving friction, angular momentum, aerodynamics, and energy. And, of course, we’ll also explore the question of why ice is so slippery in the first place. Prepare to be amazed!
September 12, 2026 (Starts at 10:15)
Prof. Dr. Detlef Reichert speaks on:
The Experimental Physics Bag of Tricks:
Computer billiards, a map of Germany, and the Mayor of Magdeburg
Mechanics—how boring. Not with us! In an entertaining 90 minutes, we will demonstrate the fascinating "aha!" moments that arise from principles such as Newton’s laws of motion. Along with Newton, Baron Munchausen and Otto von Guericke will also "lend a hand." We will "play" billiards and answer questions such as what a cell membrane and a spaceship have in common, and whether the geographic center of Germany is actually located in Central Germany. Come and be surprised!
Past events
Physics on Her Majesty's Secret Service - James Bond, Gadgets and Real Physics
Cutting a glacier in seconds using solar energy, switching from a motorcycle to a plane mid-air… anything is possible with James Bond… or is there some cheating going on at MI6 too?!? We'll take a closer look at some of these tricks and "Q's" toys with the help of video clips from the films… as always, entertaining and with a wink.
February 28, 2026 (Start 10:15)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Lets ask Platon: Are there square soap bubbles??
What do soap bubbles, water striders, a telephone network, and Munich’s Olympic Stadium have in common? And what does Plato have to do with all this?
In this experimental lecture, soap bubbles and soap films – together with the effects of surface tension and the principle of minimum energy – are used in an entertaining and accessible way to explore so-called minimal problems. One example is the question of the shortest possible connection between Germany’s most important cities, which is investigated experimentally and illustrated visually.
In addition, fascinating links to other areas of the natural sciences are presented. And of course, we will also try to answer the question:
Are there square soap bubbles? 😊
November 29, 2025 (Starts at 10:15 AM)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
James Bond, the secret of cornstarch, and a lizard that can do physics
Physics is, as we all know, everywhere and helps in many situations. Even when you (necessarily) need to walk on water? What that has to do with James Bond 007 and alligators, and why blood truly is "a very special fluid" (Mephistopheles in Goethe's Faust), we'll discover in this entertaining lecture, which takes us into the field of fluid mechanics.
September 27, 2025:
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Hunting criminals with physics
Sherlock Holmes trusted his wits... and his magnifying glass! It's quite clear that we can't get very far with this today, even in the range of visible light. In this talk we will look at various microscopes and examples from other areas of the electromagnetic spectrum and their application in forensics... from fluorescence to x-rays to terahertz images. And Al Capone, Marilyn Monroe and James Bond 007, among others, will “help” us.
June 21, 2025
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Physics meets Medicine: from x-ray images to proton therapy
In this lecture we will delve into the fascinating world of medical physics. We start with the discovery of X-rays in 1895, which allowed us to look inside the body without surgery for the first time. It continues with its use in cancer therapy and modern developments such as proton therapy, which treats tumors precisely and protects healthy tissue. You will learn how radioactive substances in nuclear medicine can make diseases visible and treat them specifically. Using modern imaging such as PET/CT, we combine metabolic and anatomical data for more precise diagnoses. We also explain why X-ray images are colorful at airport security checks and what exciting MRI videos reveal about our bodies. Let yourself be surprised!
You can also join Math on Saturday!
February 15, 2025 (Start 10:15)
Dr. Franz-Josef Schmitt will lecture on:
From the microcosm to the macrocosm – From the smallest particles to the stars
Our world and the universe are filled with wonders, ranging from the tiniest structures—invisible to the naked eye—to the unimaginable vastness of space. In this fascinating presentation, we will take you on a journey from elementary particles and atoms (visible only via particle accelerators and modern electron microscopes) to the edges of the known universe and its mysteries, such as exploding stars and black holes. We will explore how the principles of physics apply to both the microscopic world of atoms and molecules and the macroscopic realm of planets, stars, and galaxies.
Mathematics on Saturday is also available at the same time!
November 9, 2024 (Start 10:15)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Hohoho – A physical journey to christmas
Christmas lectures are an old tradition to get students and staff in the mood for the upcoming holidays and to combine it with physics (which is known to be everywhere). We will - together with Loriot, Mr. Spock, James Bond 007, Sheldon Cooper and "Schöler Pfeiffer - with three f" - follow the footsteps of Santa Claus in an entertaining way. And there will be a little physics quiz with small prizes.
You can also join Math on Saturday!
September 7, 2024 (Start 10:15)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Physics in the Sauna – About Vapor Pressure, Three Bottles of Wheat Beer, and Wood That Doesn’t Sweat
Why do we enjoy the almost 100°C air temperature in the sauna, but would never expose ourselves to almost 100°C hot water? Why is our skin temperature "only" 40 ... 45 °C, while the wooden benches and possibly metal objects are much hotter? And why do we feel a strong increase in temperature again during the infusion, even though we are already at almost 100°C? We will explore these questions in this entertaining experimental lecture. And of course we will also recognize why the generous consumption of fluids (e.g. wheat beer ;)) is so important.
May 25, 2024 (Start 10:15)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
Physics in Medicine – About the Importance of Sweating, Attractive “Tubes,” and Colorful X-ray Images
Many functions of our body are based on physical principles, be it the elasticity of our bones or sweating for heat regulation. And modern medicine is inconceivable without the use of physical principles in diagnostics and therapy, ranging from X-ray diagnostics to optical sensors for non-invasive determination of blood oxygen saturation to image-guided radiation therapy methods in cancer therapy. In this lecture, we will take a closer look at some of these things. And James Bond 007 will "help" us with some of his adventures.
March 2, 2024 (Start 10:15)
Prof. Detlef Reichert will lecture on:
The Experimental Physics Bag of Tricks: … And There Was Light!
In this entertaining experimental lecture, we will take a journey through optics and answer questions such as: What is a Swabian Advent wreath? Is there a "cloaking device"? What do you need sunglasses with polarized lenses for? Look forward to 90 minutes of exciting, surprising experiments and AHA! effects!