Cloud chambers in the classroom

1. Cloud chambers in the classroom Silvia Schuh, CERN Paco Barradas, I. E. S. Icaro. Getafe, Madrid (Spain) HST 2003

2. CLOUD CHAMBERS IN THE CLASSROOM Why should we talk about p – branes and superstrings when most people (including many teachers) do not “feel” that the particles we are talking about are “real” physical objects with measurable properties, no less real than a ball rolling down an inclined plane? (Thank you, Gron!)

3. You (and your students!) can make your own cloud chamber and “see” particles (or rather detect them; see their tracks) • Aspect of ownership (I did this!) • Engage students • Make particles “real” • But, yes, more effort on your side • But seeing particles is not always enough! • You can learn physics too.

4. Making your own… • The best thing you can do is to follow closely the instructions provided, for instance, by Andrew Foland in his web page • http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/~adf4/cloud.htm • The most critical points are these: • ·   Use only pure isopropanol, which has an ionisation energy lower than, say, that of ordinary alcohol (ethanol). • ·   If you want to keep the chamber working, you will need to add more alcohol from time to time (every 20’ – 30’. If you wait for too long, all the alcohol will have condensed into liquid). • Keep your chamber airtight. There are several ways to do this besides that described by Andrew Foland. • Shine a very strong light into the bottom of the chamber or you won’ t be able to see much (a slide projector works fine)

5. Making your own… (2) • Some more tips: • Try to keep the design as simple as possible: • Foam or rubber on metal plate perimeter to put container on, then put weight on top to do the seal. This makes it easier to refill alcohol repeatedly; seals are not so difficult • Use liquid nitrogen if you prefer, but try it out first • If you are planning an “at – home” cloud chamber: • Use electric tape and dry ice as that’ s what people will have easier access to • Use pocket lamp as light source (even if it’s not so bright, it works)

6. 2. Learning Physics • Cloud chambers can be used to show students of all ages (from ten up, let’ s say) that “There are more things in heaven and earth…” • Besides, for older students there is a lot of Physics that can be introduced using cloud chambers: • Cloud formation • Thermodynamics (phase charges) • Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields • Ionising particles, radioactivity • Unstable particles and lifetimes • Special relativity (“time dilation”) • Finally, cloud chambers are a good way of making people ready for the bubble chambers…

7. 2. Learning Physics (2) • Can we make any measurements? • (momentum, with a magnetic field) • Perhaps, not, at least for cosmic ray muons, but this is not the end of the story: • There are other particles, electrons, for instance, and we could be lucky and catch a less energetic particle whose curvature is measurable • We could put a radioactive source inside the chamber (if we are able to find a safe one; safety regulations can be quite strict these days…) • What about putting one or several metal sheets in front of one of the sides of the chamber, so that particles passing through it lose part of their energy?… • We have to keep on working!