Physics of the Body

Facilitator: Brian Jones, physicsjones@gmail.com, (970) 980-1378 Dates: Fridays, April 3—May 1, May 15 and May 22, 2026 (7 weeks) Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM or 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (two sessions, same class content) Texts: None Presentations: Not required Location: Foxtail 2, Senior Center, Class Limit: 30

The human body is marvelously complex, but understanding some simple physics concepts will help us understand how the body works, how things go wrong sometimes, and the technologies used for diagnosing and treating diseases.

We’ll start each class with some hands-on experimentation to help us grasp a physics concept. Then we’ll discuss where this concept applies in the body. We’ll explore the basics of electricity and electric circuits—and then we’ll discuss electrical signals in your nervous system, we’ll measure the voltage from your heartbeat, and we’ll discuss how your body uses electric signals to guide bone building and repair. We’ll explore the basics of magnetism—and then we’ll discuss how strong magnetic fields can be used produce an image of the inside of your body. We’ll discuss the nature of matter—and then we’ll discuss how a physician can use antimatter in the diagnosis of certain diseases. We’ll explore the physics of sound and waves—and then we’ll discuss how your hearing works, how (and why!) it changes with time, and what can be done to correct it.

You don’t need any background in science, just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to engage and explore. Come prepared to be active, to be social, and to be amazed!