PHYSICS

Why Heavy Water is Making a Splash 💦

Water. Surely you know all about it, right? It’s essential for everything from brewing coffee to keeping gardens across the country aesthetic and alive. But, what you might not know, is that there’s a ‘heavy’ version of water that scientists have been gatekeeping, that could have implications for nuclear energy and beyond! So, what is this ‘heavy water’, and can I drink it if I’m really thirsty? (Spoiler alert: no, you really shouldn’t!)

💡 Things to consider

• D2O: Pure water is made of two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. This is where we get H2O from. Heavy water, on the other hand, is a form of hydrogen isotope (a distinct nuclear species of hydrogen) with an extra neutron, making it twice as heavy as the most abundant hydrogen isotope (Hydrogen-1.) We call heavy water deuterium oxide (D2O).

• An ICON in nuclear power: Heavy water plays a starring role in some nuclear reactors. It acts as a moderator, slowing down neutrons to keep the fission chain reaction going. This allows reactors to use natural uranium, making them more efficient. Why might slowing down neutrons be important in a nuclear reactor?

• Can you drink it?: While a sip or two of heavy water likely won’t kill you, chugging the stuff down could potentially be lethal. The extra mass of D2O slows down essential chemical reactions in your body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Why do you think D2O causes such a slowdown in chemical reactions?

🔎 Find out more

• What Happens to Your Body if You Drink Heavy Water? (YouTube)

• Molecule of the Week Archive: Deuterium oxide

• Energy Education: Heavy Water

ENGLISH

As I Lay Trying: A Guide to reading William Faulkner 💡

Whether it is The Sound and the Fury or A Rose for Emily, unless you are some Literature superhero, being assigned Faulkner on your reading list often leads to a unanimous groan and days spent deciphering his words. You are not alone. Faulkner’s works are unanimously difficult. Especially considering the shorter informational bursts pupils read on technology these days, his writings need attentive reading and deep thought. However, there are some tips you can use to get through, and maybe even enjoy, your Faulkner novel.

💡 Things to consider

• Be Patient: To read a Faulkner novel, at least the first time, is to lose oneself in the rich language, as many of his works are more about impressions than events or facts ("I don't care much for facts," he once stated). Don’t put too much pressure on trying to understand everything, or to make logical sense of an often illogical timeline. Faulkner’s works often take several rereads to understand completely, even for seasoned consumers.

• Focus on characters: For new readers, the fact that a person is frequently discussed before being identified presents a challenge. For instance, a character is frequently addressed as "he" before they are ever given a name, and numerous little details are presented in passing as if the reader is already familiar with the whole plot. In this vein, it is also difficult to determine which character is narrating a certain section of the novel or when Faulkner, the omniscient author, starts speaking instead of one of the characters. Unfortunately, the key to understanding Faulkner’s plots is often through the characters. He said his main aim as a writer was "to create flesh-and-blood people that will stand up and cast a shadow." As Faulkner believed that they are the centre of his works, engaging with his characters is a smart method to approach his fiction. Who do they represent? Are they tragic or comic? Why do they act and think in these ways?

• Look for Help: Faulkner is known to be a challenging read- even to himself. To help readers, he often incorporated clarifying features into his books. For example, Absalom! Absalom!, widely considered his most challenging novel, even includes a chronology of main events and a genealogy (family tree) of characters at the end of the novel. Don’t be afraid to refer to the tools given to you throughout the read.

🔎 Find out more

• Absalom Absalom! William Faulkner, 1936

• As I Lay Dying, 1930

• A Rose for Emily, 1930

• Style and Meaning in Hemingway and Faulkner, John V. Hagopian

🍒 The cherry on top

• 😷 A History of Animal and Human Care: Did you know the oldest known surgery dates back a whopping 30,000 years? This video dives into this and other intriguing discoveries, from self-medication in chimpanzees to the evolution of social healing behaviours. A must-watch for anyone interested in History, Medicine, and Science.

• 🏛️ Music in Ancient Greece: In Ancient Greece, music was believed to be a powerful tool, capable of creating a harmonious state of being that transcended the physical. This article looks at how we can breathe new life into music and unlock its potential to move us on a deeper level. A fascinating read for anyone interested in Music, Classics, or Philosophy!

• 🏃 Testosterone and Female Athletes: In the past, some female athletes with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS), a condition that causes naturally high testosterone, were banned from competition. Was this just? This article is a great read for anyone interested in Science and Sports!

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for…

• April 23rd:

  • King’s College Cambridge Introduction to Cambridge Applications Webinar

  • University of Sheffield Politics, Philosophy and Economics Taster Webinar

  • University of Sheffield Music Webinar

• April 24th:

  • King’s College Cambridge Personal Statement Webinar

  • University of Buckingham Law Taster Webinar

  • University of Sheffield Environmental Economics Webinar

  • University of Sheffield French Webinar

• April 25th:

  • Sidney Sussex College Cambridge Post-16 Choices Webinar

  • St John’s College Cambridge Super-Curricular Webinar

  • Christ’s College Cambridge Maths Webinar

  • University of Sheffield Journalism Webinar

  • University of Sheffield Biosciences Webinar

  • UEA Physics/Engineering Taster Lecture

  • UEA Economics/Geography Taster Lecture

🗳️ Poll