The Smith Hall auditorium was packed Saturday for “a stroll through the slightly twisted mind of a physics professor.” The slightly bent event was the seventh annual Physics Department Open House.

The open house informed potential Ohio State students and physics majors about the nationally ranked program and demonstrated how fun physics can be.

“We want to let students in Ohio know about our physics program and to get them to come to Ohio State to study physics,” said Bob Scherrer, a professor of physics.

Ohio students who scored high in math and science on the ACT and showed an interest in physics or a related subject were invited. Physics teachers from Franklin and surrounding counties, their classes and anyone who requested more information about the open house on the physics department Web site were also invited to attend.

“I’m here to learn more about physics. I’m interested in math and science so I’d think I might like physics,” said Kenny Gatliff, a senior at Fairfield High School in Cincinnati.

The open house began with opening remarks from William F. Saam, department of physics chair. Saam stressed the funding put into the physics department through selective investment and the success of OSU faculty and students in physics to a packed auditorium.

OSU President William “Brit” Kirwan talked about his great interest in physics.

“I’ve always had a great admiration for physics and physicists,” Kirwan said. “I’ve always been dazzled by the way they explain the physical phenomena that occur in our lives.”

Kirwan went on to use mathematical analogies to show students why OSU is their best choice. A step Kirwan used to prove his “theorem” that OSU is their best choice: The physics department is internationally recognized and in the top 25 physics research departments in the country.

The speech wasn’t the only part of the program Kirwan took part in. Linn Van Woerkom put Kirwan to work during his demonstration, “Things You Should Never Put In the Microwave Oven.” Smiling faces decorated the scene as Van Woekom put everything from a hammer and CDs to grapes in the oven. A camera in the top of the microwave oven showed what was happening on a large screen in front of the auditorium.

Kirwan rode an exercise bike rigged to light up stadium lights, adding machines and electronic pencil sharpeners when enough energy was produced.

Van Woekom also had students throwing eggs across the auditorium and testing his chances with a 12-volt car battery touching his tongue.

After the demonstration by Van Woekom, visitors could attend parallel sessions held throughout Smith Hall covering topics about chemistry, computing in undergraduate physics, superconductors, and many others.

The open house showed potential students how fun physics can be and what fun the professors and other students are.

“I was definitely impressed. The physics department is awesome,” Gatliff said. “I really like how the professors seem so relatable.”