Molecular Compasses and Gyroscopes

Miguel A. Garcia-Garibay Dean / UCLA Physical Sciences and Distinguished Professor / UCLA Chemistry and Biochemistry

Gyroscopes and compasses are simple tools that help us know which direction we’re going. A compass has a little needle that always points toward the Earth’s North Pole. A gyroscope has a spinning wheel that helps us stay steady and know if we are turning. Scientists at UCLA have found that some tiny molecules can act like little compasses or gyroscopes too! When these molecules come together to make crystals, they can work as a team to sense tiny magnetic and electric fields.In this talk, we’ll learn how chemists build small machines out of molecules to explore how things work when we go really, really small—down to the level of atoms and molecules.

Recommended grade levels for this talk: 6th-8th