The physics of light in medicine

How can light determine the age of a bloodstain? Why does ultraviolet light kill bacteria and viruses? And can 5G networks truly harm us? These are just some of the questions we’ll explore together in this hands-on course. The physics of light and electromagnetic radiation plays a vital role in modern medicine—from diagnostic tools like X-rays and MRI to cancer treatments using radiation and biochemical analysis. Through experiments, we’ll uncover the physical principles behind medical diagnostics and therapies, while also addressing hoaxes and misinformation related to electromagnetic radiation and human health.
Step by step, we’ll dive into the physics of diagnostic and imaging methods. We’ll visualize blood vessels and measure our pulse using infrared light. We’ll investigate how light can analyze biological samples and even measure the properties of our own blood. The introduction of 5G networks, along with the misinformation surrounding them, has sparked public concerns about the safety of the microwave waves they use. To address this, we will explore the effects of electromagnetic waves and magnetic fields on the human body and discuss how these fears emerge.
The course will be packed with experiments and is open to everyone—even those who may not have been excited about physics in school.

Antonín Baďura

As a child, Tonda was fascinated by two things: how the world works and how to eat well. The first passion led him to study physical optics (lasers, not glasses) at Charles University. He now works at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences and, as part of his PhD, conducts experimental research in solid-state magnetism. Tonda loves sharing his curiosity, which is why, as part of the Optical Society at Charles University, he travels to primary and secondary schools with a program of physics experiments. When he’s not researching, in the lab, or at a conference, you’ll find him on a trip, a trek, or hitchhiking—whether in the Czech Republic, the Balkans, or the Near and Middle East. Trekking ties into his second childhood passion, so he enjoys experimenting with new ways to eat well on the trail.