Undergraduate Mathematics Students
SUM Series, Thursday, March 26: The shape of space, Nathan Reading
The shape of space
Nathan Reading
Thursday, March 26, 2009
3:00--3:50 p.m.
Harrelson 330
To our eyes, space looks flat. But Einstein tells us that space is curved. Well, if space is curved, then what is the overall shape of space? Does it curve back on itself or not? If it curves back on itself, is its overall shape a sphere, or something more exotic? Physicists are doing experiments to try to determine the overall shape of space, by studying patterns in the microwave background radiation. Meanwhile, mathematicians are trying to understand the possible shapes that space could take, to narrow down the possibilities.
This talk won't tackle any physics. Instead, we'll look at a simple mathematical question: what global shape can a two-dimensional "space" have? The talk will be accessible to all undergraduates, and will serve as a gentle introduction to the mathematical field of topology.
Check out the SUM Series website for more information on the SUM Series.
Posted at 04:51PM Mar 25, 2009 by nreadin in Courses and Advising | Comments[0]