YOUTH IN SCIENCE | ZAMBIA | PHYSICS AND CLIMATE INNOVATION
At 18, Prosper Chanda is exploring how mathematical physics could contribute to weather prediction, while conducting experiments in classical mechanics and developing engineering concepts aimed at sustainability. His journey reflects the promise—and the scientific challenges—of independent research by Africa’s emerging generation of innovators.
By Temba Mike
Lusaka, Zambia — Growing up in Kasama, northern Zambia, Prosper Chanda developed an interest in understanding the physical world that would eventually lead him beyond the boundaries of conventional classroom learning.
Born in Kayambi village in Zambia’s Northern Province, Chanda began formal schooling at the age of five. By 14, he had started exploring research questions in physics and mathematics, laying the foundation for a portfolio that now spans experimental mechanics, theoretical physics, climate prediction and engineering.
At 18, he is pursuing his academic journey at Copperbelt University while preparing for planned engineering studies in China.
His research interests are wide-ranging, but a central question runs through much of his work: how can mathematical descriptions of physical systems help explain the world and, potentially, address practical challenges facing society?
For Chanda, those challenges include understanding weather-related hazards in Africa, investigating the behaviour of physical systems and exploring more sustainable approaches to energy use.
His recognition as an Earth Prize Scholar in the Africa cohort has helped bring international attention to his work on physics-based climate prediction.
Linking theoretical physics to Africa’s weather challenges
Chanda’s climate-prediction project, Deterministic Climate Prediction Using Prosper’s Unified Position Equation (PUPE), explores whether a mathematical framework grounded in physics could contribute to understanding atmospheric evolution and weather-related hazards.
The project reflects an ambition to connect theoretical work with problems that affect communities, particularly in regions vulnerable to floods, severe storms and changing weather patterns.
In Zambia, where access to meteorological information can be limited in some settings, improved understanding of weather risks could be valuable for communities, agricultural producers and disaster-preparedness efforts.
Chanda’s research draws on historical weather events, including Hurricane Katrina, and meteorological information associated with the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of its comparative context.
The project seeks to explore the potential of mathematical descriptions of physical systems to inform the study of weather phenomena.
However, the distinction between developing a theoretical framework and demonstrating a reliable forecasting system remains important. The profile materials do not establish that PUPE has achieved operational forecasting accuracy or that it can outperform established meteorological models.
For Africa’s scientific community, the work therefore raises questions that could guide further investigation: How would the framework perform against historical observations? Could its predictions be independently reproduced? And how might it be evaluated against existing forecasting methods?
Answering these questions through validation, collaboration and peer scrutiny would be important steps in assessing its scientific and practical potential.
Developing a unified mathematical framework
At the centre of Chanda’s theoretical research is the Unified Position Equation, retaining the acronym PUPE from its earlier name, Prosper’s Unified Position Equation.
The framework explores mathematical representations of motion by bringing together terms associated with relativistic dynamics, quantum mechanics and electromagnetic interactions.
The aim is to examine how contributions from different areas of physics might be represented within a common mathematical structure.
This is an ambitious area of inquiry, given that the theories involved address physical phenomena at different scales and under different conditions. Establishing a useful unifying formulation requires more than combining mathematical expressions: its assumptions, internal consistency, relationship to established theories and predictions must also withstand rigorous testing.
Chanda’s research materials are available through his online academic profiles, providing a starting point for readers and researchers interested in examining his formulations.
His work illustrates the distinction between proposing a theoretical framework and establishing its acceptance through independent scientific evaluation. It also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for young researchers to receive constructive technical feedback and engage with experienced scientists.
From a bouncing tennis ball to experimental mechanics
While some of Chanda’s projects address abstract questions about physics, another investigates a familiar phenomenon that can be measured directly: the rebound of a tennis ball.
His study, Effect of Impact Surface on the Coefficient of Restitution and Mechanical Energy Loss of a Bouncing Tennis Ball, examines how different surfaces influence the ball’s behaviour after impact.
The experiment used a tennis ball weighing approximately 58 grams, dropped from a height of 1.000 ± 0.005 metres. Chanda recorded 40 rebound-height measurements, conducting 10 trials each on concrete, tile, wood and rubber.
The results showed differences in the ball’s rebound behaviour across the four surfaces.
What the experiment found
Reported results from Chanda’s tennis-ball study
Concrete: 41.80% energy loss
Tile: 44.60% energy loss
Wood: 50.35% energy loss
Rubber: 58.75% energy loss
Concrete produced the highest reported coefficient of restitution (0.7629), while rubber recorded the lowest (0.6423). The reported analysis found statistically significant differences among the four surface conditions.
The study used analysis of variance to assess differences between the experimental groups, reporting an F-statistic of 852.55 with a p-value below 0.0001.
Unlike his more theoretical projects, this experiment relies on repeated observations and statistical analysis to investigate a defined physical question.
It demonstrates an important aspect of scientific inquiry: even a familiar event, such as a ball bouncing on different surfaces, can become an opportunity to test hypotheses, collect data and quantify physical behaviour.
The manuscript is available on Research Square, allowing interested readers to examine the reported methodology and findings.
Exploring the fundamental structure of space
Chanda’s research also extends into questions about the nature of physical reality.
Through a project titled A Discrete 3D Lattice Foundation for the Structure of Space, he explores Chain-Space Theory (CST), a proposed mathematical approach that considers whether a discrete three-dimensional lattice could provide a foundation for describing space.
The project reflects his broader interest in the relationship between mathematical structures and the physical world.
He is also developing research materials on Harmonic Quantum Action Theory and alternative variable representations of the Navier–Stokes equations, which describe the motion of fluids.
These projects cover distinct scientific questions, from quantum-related formulations to the mathematical treatment of fluid dynamics.
They remain areas of inquiry whose significance depends on the strength of their mathematical arguments, their consistency with established knowledge and their ability to produce results that can be examined independently.
Engineering ideas for a more sustainable future
Beyond physics, Chanda has explored engineering concepts intended to address practical challenges.
One is the Smart Circular Battery Exchange System (SCBES), a proposal centred on the reuse and circulation of electric-vehicle batteries.
The concept considers how batteries that have reached the end of their initial automotive service life might be used within a circular system, potentially extending their usefulness and reducing waste.
Such ideas are relevant to wider discussions about energy storage, resource efficiency and the environmental implications of electric mobility.
However, SCBES is presented in his research profile as an engineering proposal; its commercial feasibility, technical performance and environmental benefits would require further assessment.
The concept nevertheless reflects an interest in taking scientific and engineering questions beyond mathematical formulations and considering how they might inform practical solutions.
Academic achievement and independent learning
Chanda’s research ambitions have developed alongside strong academic performance.
He completed secondary education at Gibeon Adventist Secondary School in 2024, aged 16, earning seven distinctions and one merit across eight subjects, with an overall average of 87%.
He subsequently pursued studies at Copperbelt University and has undertaken additional learning through online programmes, including eight diploma programmes through Alison, according to his research profile.
His independent study has allowed him to explore subjects spanning theoretical physics, atmospheric modelling, fluid dynamics and engineering.
He is also an ambassador for the Global Quantum Mechanics Challenge and a member of the African Materials Research Society, having joined the latter in December 2025.
His recognition as an Earth Prize Scholar has connected his interest in physics-based climate prediction with a broader community focused on sustainability and environmental challenges.
These affiliations provide opportunities for engagement, although membership and recognition should be distinguished from formal scientific accreditation or independent validation of particular research findings.
The next frontier: collaboration and scientific validation
Chanda’s journey highlights both the opportunities and the challenges facing young Africans who pursue scientific interests beyond conventional academic pathways.
Independent research can encourage curiosity, initiative and interdisciplinary thinking. But moving from an interesting idea to a contribution that advances scientific knowledge generally requires access to specialist supervision, laboratory or computational resources, reliable datasets, peer review and collaboration with other researchers.
For Chanda, the planned transition to engineering studies in China could provide an opportunity to deepen his technical training and connect his interests in physics, mathematics and sustainable technology with formal engineering education.
His varied portfolio will also require prioritisation. Developing a smaller number of research questions in greater depth, while testing them against established scientific methods, could help clarify which ideas offer the strongest potential for further investigation.
In climate prediction, for example, the next steps would include clearly defined forecasting targets, reproducible methods, comparisons with observed weather and benchmarks against established models. In theoretical physics, mathematical consistency and testable predictions would be central to assessing proposed frameworks.
These are not obstacles unique to Chanda; they are part of the process through which scientific ideas are evaluated and developed.
For Africa, nurturing emerging researchers means creating environments where ambition is matched with mentorship, critical examination and access to scientific networks.
From Kayambi village to Kasama and Copperbelt University, Chanda’s path reflects a determination to explore questions that cross disciplinary boundaries.
At 18, he is still at an early stage of his scientific journey. His lasting contribution will depend not simply on the breadth of his ideas, but on how effectively he develops, tests and communicates them—and on the opportunities he has to work with others in advancing scientific knowledge.
Research links and further reading
- Research portfolio: Prosper Chanda on Academia.edu
- Unified Position Equation project: Open Science Framework
- Tennis-ball mechanics study: Research Square manuscript
- Chain-Space Theory: Zenodo research project
- Global Quantum Mechanics Challenge profile: Prosper Chanda
- Researcher identifier: ORCID
To reach to Mr Chanda, his email is chandaprosper03@gmail.com