Young Czech physicists in secondary schools are among the world's best at solving complex physics problems. The Czech team brought home a bronze medal from the finals of the International Young Physicists' Tournament in Lund, Sweden.
The tournament is not just any competition, but a long-term activity focused not only on simulating scientific research in the field of physics, but also on defending the results achieved against competing teams and analyzing the solutions of opponents. It's not enough to derive the correct formula – it is necessary to design and assemble the measuring equipment, carry out experiments, explain the observed phenomena, and then present and defend your solutions in front of your opponents and the jury.
For instance, competitors extinguished a candle flame with loud noise, observed the formation of interesting patterns in a container of liquid heated from below, or explained why spaghetti that's pulled through a bent elbow joint shoots out fragments at high speed (dubbed "spaghetti accelerator").
This year, the team competition was opened up to individuals in the preceding rounds, attracting new competitors. All participants have the opportunity to establish contact and consult with experts during their preparation.
Team members:
• Lukáš Franta, captain (Gymnázium Christiana Dopplera, Prague)
• Kryštof Basista (Gymnázium Josefa Kainara, Hlučín)
• Michal Fišer (VOŠ a Střední průmyslová škola elektrotechnická, Pilsen)
• Daniel Jedlička (VOŠ a Střední průmyslová škola elektrotechnická, Pilsen)
• Daniel Švaňa (Gymnázium Christiana Dopplera, Prague)
We are now preparing for next year's competition: on October 13, 2025, an introductory training camp will be held at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where competitors and teachers will be introduced to the possibilities of solving new tasks and the novelties of next year's competition. Competition websites: www.tmfcr.cz, www.iypt.org.
Scientists from the Institute of Physics have long been involved in helping representatives prepare for the contest, organizing and providing expert support for the competition and accompanying activities.
