Classes 10 and 11 attend a scintillating talk in Physics at IIT Delhi

On 18 April 2026, 28 students of Classes X and XI, accompanied by their teacher, Ms Meenakshi Purohit, participated in an enriching lecture titled “Light, Lasers and Lifesavers: Building Senses that See the Invisible” at Indian Institute of Technology- Delhi. The session was conducted by Prof Soumik Siddhanta of the Department of Chemistry.

The lecture commenced with a warm welcome to the students and teachers from various schools. Prof Siddhanta began the session by displaying microscopic images of different organisms and encouraged the students to identify them, thereby stimulating curiosity and observation skills.

He elaborated upon the nature of light as an electromagnetic wave while discussing the historical perspective, including Isaac Newton’s particle theory and the development of quantum mechanics. Through demonstrations using polarised lenses, complex scientific concepts were made easy and engaging for students.

The session also highlighted the remarkable contributions of C. V. Raman and his discovery of the Raman Effect in 1928. Students learned how Raman challenged the views of Lord Rayleigh regarding the colour of the sea. Demonstrations explaining the scattering of light helped students to understand this important phenomenon. An interactive experiment using a tabla and a small ball effectively demonstrated how light interacts with vibrating objects, showing that light can gain, lose, or retain energy.

Further sessions were conducted by PhD scholars, Ms Tanisha and Ms Soumya, who introduced students to the role of machine learning in identifying bacterial infections, studying biofilms, and detecting microplastics. Mr Abhishek and his team conducted engaging demonstrations including phenolphthalein indicator reactions, optical illusions, and innovative methods of recording and analysing light.

A key highlight of the lecture was the active participation of the students. They enthusiastically interacted with the resource persons, asked insightful questions, and showcased a keen interest in scientific exploration. 

Overall, the lecture proved to be a highly informative and inspiring experience, encouraging students to explore the fascinating world of science beyond the classroom.