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 Physics at Virginia

National Physics Day

The University of Virginia Department of Physics presents:
A FAMILY ORIENTED EVENT

The 29th Annual NATIONAL PHYSICS DAY SHOW

Monday, April 21, 2025 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM (Hands-on Demos @ 6:00PM)
Room 338, Physics Building (Jesse Beams Laboratory), 382 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22904

International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

A superconducting disk levitating above a magnetic track.A superconducting disk levitating above a magnetic track.

The 29th Annual Physics Day Demonstration Show will be held at 6:30 pm on Monday evening, April 21, 2025, in room 338 of the Physics Building, also known as Jesse Beams Laboratory, 382 McCormick Rd, at the University of Virginia to celebrate National Physics Day. Hands-on demonstrations start in the lobby at 6:00 pm. Admission is free. 

This highly anticipated event is a superb physics demonstration show for the general public, especially K-12 students and families. Parking is available in the Central Grounds Garage on Emmett Street or, after 5:00 pm, near the football stadium.

In celebration of the UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the theme of the show is Exploring the Quantum World. Quantum mechanics describes the eerie behavior of atoms and subatomic particles, where energy comes in discrete chunks, particles can tunnel through walls, and the behavior of distant particles can be entangled in a way that ordinary physics cannot explain. Strange as it may sound, quantum mechanics underlies common technologies like computer chips, lasers, and the Global Positioning System. Attendees of all ages can learn about this theory and be amazed by the effects it produces. 

For more information about this free public event call Avery Bledsoe at 924-3781 or email at p[email protected].

Parking Map (click to enlarge):
Parking near/at the Stadium:
(Free parking after 5PM)
  1. From Emmet Street, turn right onto Stadium Rd.
  2. Continue on Stadium Rd., then turn right onto Whitehead Rd.
  3. Stadium Parking will be on your left.
Central Grounds Parking Garage on Emmet Street:
(Hourly Parking)
From Emmet Street take a left into Central Ground Parking Garage.
Hourly parking may be paid via the ParkMobile app.

Video of the 2024 National Physics Day Show: