Things to know Archive

2. October 202312. January 2024

Light quanta and sunburn – An introduction to quantum physics 2024

Reading time: 18 minutes

Is sunbathing dangerous? - sunburn — Sunbathing: Dangerous?

THINGS TO KNOW Summer is over, the sun is lower above the horizon, and the sun’s radiation becomes weaker overall. The probability of getting a sunburn also decreases significantly. But what is the actual reason for this? Why can’t you get sunburn from visible light and where does it come from instead? In a nutshell, the physical answer is: It has to do with the radiation spectrum of our sun and the size of energy packets. And with that we are already in the middle of quantum physics.

9. October 20225. October 2022

Double Burden – Studying and working in Potsdam in 2022

Reading time: 6 minutes

double burden - study and work
Campus Neues Palais Potsdam

THINGS TO KNOW More than half of all German students have a job while studying. This brings more than just financial benefits. The double burden on young people, most of whom study full-time, is enormous – but not impossible to keep up.

29. November 202119. September 2023

The World of the DPG 2021 – Physics, Journalism and Me

Reading time: 12 minutes

LIFE STORIES The Magnus-Haus, capital representation of the DPG and seat of the regional association Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin, is an important European site of the scientific history of physics. After the designation as EPS Historic Site, the ceremonial unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the presidents of the European Physical Society (EPS), Luc Bergé, and the German Physical Society (DPG), Lutz Schröter, followed on October 15, 2021, during a festive event. I was able to attend this event as a member of the Potsdam regional group of the jDPG. An unique day in the world of the DPG.

11. October 202119. September 2023

Philosophers in search of happiness – The 3 best-known virtue ethics at a glance

Reading time: 8 minutes

ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 4

A Little Luck | Close-up of a small paper four-leaf clover t… | Flickr
happiness...

THINGS TO KNOW How do we find the path to happiness? Should we follow our desire? Or should we rather seek “stoic tranquillity”? The philosophers of antiquity answered these questions in many different ways. Their answers can be found in the so-called “virtue ethics”.

13. September 20216. October 2022

8 minutes Philosophy of Religion: Is there a God?

Reading time: 8 minutes

ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 3

Philosophy of religion: Can the existence of God be proven? — Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/4718368894

THINGS TO KNOW In the course of human history, numerous religions have developed in the most diverse forms. They all share a belief in something supernatural. But what is it exactly, this transcendent being, and can its existence be proven?

5. July 20217. October 2022

How am I supposed to act? – Moral principles simply explained

Reading time: 7 minutes

ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 1

THINGS TO KNOW The second Kantian question has also led to discussions between utilitarians, discourse ethicists and followers of Kant: What should I do? We humans need moral principles in order to be able to react quickly and well in certain situations.

14. June 20217. October 2022

The search for absolute truth – 4 epistemologies in brief

Reading time: 8 minutes

File:Café wall.svg - Wikimedia Commons — Source: *https://commons.wikimedia.org/*
*wiki/File:Caf%C3%A9_wall.svg*

ETHICS EXPLAINED – PART 1

THINGS TO KNOW Look at the picture on the right. What do you see? Black and white stripes, distorted and lying crookedly on top of each other? Well, at least that’s what your brain makes you believe. In reality, the stripes are parallel to each other. No matter whether you already know this optical illusion or not, it poses an existential question: If our brain can deceive us like this, what is still true?

26. April 202127. April 2022

From the 16th century until today: The literary epochs of Germany in brief

Reading time: 8 minutes

Kostenlose foto : Buch, lesen, Holz, alt, Lesen, Sammlung, Bücherregal, Seiten, Kunst, Literatur, Bibliothek, gebunden, Abdeckung, historisch, Geschichten, kennt, Gebrauchte Bücher, alte Bücher, Lederbezüge, Mann machte Objekt 4429x2542 - - 495484 ...

THINGS TO KNOW When interpreting and analysing german texts, few things are as important as a basic knowledge of the literary epochs, because only with background knowledge of the period in which they were written can you understand most texts in depth.

22. February 202123. June 2021

The double contact process – The production of sulphuric acid explained in 6 minutes

Reading time: 6 minutes

THINGS TO KNOW Today, sulphuric acid is considered one of the most important chemicals of all. Due to its properties, the substance is used in numerous branches of industry. It can be produced on a large scale from sulphur by the double contact process.

25. January 202123. June 2021

Holocaust 80 years on – The Legacy of the National Socialists

Reading time: 13 minutes

File:Germany-00155 - Holocaust Memorial (30327228915).jpg - Wikimedia Commons — Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Germany-00155_-*Holocaust_Memorial*(30327228915).jpg

THINGS TO KNOW The Holocaust, a genocide of the Jews by the Nazis during the Second World War has shaped German history like hardly any other historical event. But most of us are not aware of the resulting responsibility of the German people.