Page 8
University Daily Kansan
Monday, Jan. 9, 1956
ATOM SMASHER-Luther Smith, Orange, Mass, graduate student, is adjusting the Vandergraaf generator in Malott Hall. The large tank in the background contains the high voltage equipment. (Dellly-Kanson Photo.)
KU Has Its Own Atom Smasher In Malott Hall
If a student were asked where to find the KU atom smasher, more than likely he would stare blankly at the questioner and ask "What's that?" ◎ ___
But there is one and those who have seen it are greatly impressed with the apparent complexity of the machine.
Detailed Charts Available
"But each part is really very simple," said L. Worth Seagondollar, associate professor of physics. "The problem is to keep all of these parts working at the same time."
Detailed diagrams have been made of all the parts and large charts show all the wiring connecting the various parts. A few years ago these charts were lost, but they were found and now there are several copies. Dr. Seagondollar said.
Dr. Seagondollar, who was responsible for the fundamental designing and the construction of the KU atom smasher, explained that the purpose of the machine is to bombard the nuclei of atoms with tiny "bullets."
The atom is very small, measuring one hundredth of a millionth of a centimeter in diameter, he said, so the nucleus is so small that it cannot be seen with a microscope.
Since the nucleus is so small, the main way of studying it is to observe things that come out of it, he said. In radioactive materials things do come out of the nuclei, but in so-called "stable" nuclei, nothing comes out of the nuclei unless they are struck by bombarding particles, Dr. Seagondollar explained.
Bullets Are Hydrogen
The machine, which was designed for three million volts, has been brought up to 214 million volts so far. Dr. Seagondollar said that at two million volts the speed of the bullet is around 15,000 miles per second or 1/10 of the velocity of light.
The bullets in the atom smasher are other nuclei of a light element, usually hydrogen. What comes out depends on what is shot in, the angle shot, and how hard it was shot. The components in the bullet must be taken into consideration too.
The work on the KU atom smasher started in the fall of 1947 and it was built in Blake Annex A. It was first started by the University without any financial help, but the Office of Naval Research granted funds for the work for seven years, and now the National Science Foundation is providing financial aid.
Scintillation counters are used to see what comes out of the nuclei.
Not For Instruction
The atom smasher is not used in instruction, but some graduate students do work with it on special and thesis problems.
The machine, which cost $18,000 to move from Blake Annex, is now partly in Malott Hall. The room in which it is situated is not directly under the rest of the building, but
to the north under 12 feet of dirt. This provides more than ample absorption of radiation.
Every possible precaution has been taken to prevent persons who work with it from being hurt from X-rays, Dr. Seagondollar said.
The high voltage part is in a steel tank six feet in diameter and 15 feet long.
In Blake Annex A concrete blocks were placed in strategic places to absorb radiation when the machine was being built and lead sheets were put on the ceiling of the annex.
Concrete Blocks Used
The room it is in now was specially built for it. The control room has a concrete wall three feet thick on the side next to the actual operation room.
Persons who work with it are provided with radiation pens which measure how much radiation they have received, and no one is allowed to take more than the daily dose.
Michigan has 85 varieties of growing trees, more than any other state in the nation and more than in all of Europe.
Lead roles in "Carousel," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, will be played by Dale Moore, Olathe graduate student, and Merrilyn Coleman, Franklin junior.
Cast Announced For 'Carousel,' Due February 6
The musical will be presented by the Light Opera Guild Feb. 6 through 10 in Fraser Theater.
Moore will play the part of a carousel barker. Billy Biselow, who has an ill-fated love affair with a young girl. Julie Jordon, to be played by Miss Coleman.
Also cast in principal roles are Herbert Wildeboor, Lawrence graduate student, as Mr. Snow; John Wesley, Ulysses second-ear law student, as Jigger; Elizabeth Noves, Troy sophomore, as Mrs. Mullins; Beverly Runkle, Pittsburg sophomore, as Nettie Fowler; Frank LaBan, Lawrence graduate student, as Starkeeper; Tomi Yadon, Lawrence junior, as Louise.
Kenneth Plumb, Sunflower senior, as Policeman; Robert Damkroger, Clay Center senior, as Mr Bascode; Barbara Blount, Larner senior, as Carrie; Bruce Dillman Independence senior, as Heavenly Friend, and Glenn Pierce. Lawrence sophomore, as Enoch Snow Jianrers; Grant H. Wagner, Hutchinson sophomore, Thomas C. Dechaire, Westmoreland freshman; Francie Aronhalt, Topeka senior; Mary Ann Clark, Kansas City, Mo freshman; David Johnson, Lawrence graduate student; Ruth Tagart, Topeka sophomore; Anne Hesse, Bartlesville, Okla, freshman; True Binford, Overland Park freshman; William Matthews, Ashland sophomore; Ann Leaptad, Lawrence senior, and Richard Laptad, Lawrence junior.
Chorus; Bonnie Dinsmore, Overland Park sophomore; Warren George, Merriam sophomore; Leeland Roberts, Kansas City, Kan. junior; Mary Beth Spena, Leccompton sophomore; Marc Thoren, Paola freshman; Harry Landis, Topeke freshman; Mary Jio Woofter, Colby junior; Don Carey, Coffeyville graduate student; Rosalyn Fleming, Bronx, N.Y. freshman; Zoanne Mariner, Topeka junior; Edward Jones, Dodge City junior; Caroline Moreland, Kansas City, Mo. freshman; Tom Engel, Kansas City, Mo. freshman; Janice Mason, St. Joseph, Mo. senior; Bruce Rogers, Quenemo senior; Veda Driver, Quenemo junior; Georgiana Grown, Junction City junior; Judy Cotton, Lawrence junior; Jane Neyer, Brownell freshmen
100 Students Fidget Through Another Western Civ Test
Over 100 pencil-biting, footshuffling, frowning students struggled through the Western Civilization final examination Saturday.
Termed a comprehensive examination, the test culminated the study of at least one, and probably more, semesters of preparation in half a working day.
Yet the expressions of fear and resentment turned into smiles as the students left Lindley auditorium. They were through, some of them at least, the others would try again next spring if they failed.
Three Part Exam
The test was divided into three parts. The first consisted of 75 multiple choice questions which many of the students termed, "multiple guess." In the second section, the students were required to answer 15 out of 20 short answer questions. The final part called for two essays on authors in the course the students especially enjoyed.
There were a myriad of reactions to the exam. Some students thought it was extremely difficult
and Edgar Dittemore, Robinson sohomore.
Gerald M. Carney, associate professor of music education, is musical director, and Lewin Goff, University Theatre director, is stage director. Settings and costumes have been designed by Milton Howarth, instructor in speech, and Shirley Hughes, instructor in physical education, is the choreographer. The ballet will be directed by Miss Yadon. Lee MacMorris, Hutchinson junior, is assistant stage director.
Tickets are now on sale in the Student Union. Subscription holders may exchange their coupons, and students may present their ID cards for tickets. The Green Hall box office opens Jan. 30.
while others interpreted it as "hours of easy credit."
Student's Responsibility
The reactions were dependent to a great extent upon the background of the student and the amount of time he had studied the course.
Student's Responsibility One of the most controversial subjects at the University, the Western Civilization course places all responsibility for studying the course on the individual. Although one hour of credit is given for a discussion group, the bulk of the student's grade is determined by one test.
For the first time since its inception a few years ago, the course was revised this fall. Some of the past selections in the course were dropped and new ones added. This revision outdated the much fable notes supposedly utilized by the majority of the students in the course.
If the student depended upon the notes, he was forced to read a great deal of the new material or gamble on not reading it. The test indicated it would be a good idea to read the new material.
All the states except Idaho observe Washington's Birthday as a legal or public holiday.
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