Cloud Chambers and Cosmic Rays

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Cloud Chambers and Cosmic Rays
A Lesson Plan and Laboratory Activity for the
High School Science Classroom
Coronal mass ejection shooting plasma into space
(NASA)
Cosmic ray shower (SLAC)
Giant Solar Tadpoles born in enormous solar
explosion (NASA)
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What is it? The best theoretical framework we
have for particle physics today.
Matter Particles
The Basic Ideas of the Standard Model
Simplification (particle zoo) and
Unification Complex systems ? few, basic
entities Both matter and forces included
Matter Quarks and Leptons Forces 4 forces
Particleadventure.org
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Force Particles
How do particles create forces?
Electromagnetic force
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Some Force Diagrams
Electromagnetic
Strong Nuclear
proton
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The Standard Model

• What is it? The best theoretical framework we
  have for particle physics today.
• It has been a remarkable success BUT we know it
  is incomplete
• So, what does the phrase STANDARD MODEL mean?
• A unification of all matter into two
  types of particles
• A unification of the Electromagnetic and
  Weak Nuclear forces
• A description of the interaction between
  fundamental particles
• in terms of the exchange of
  fundamental force particles
• Some things it does not do
• It does not unify the Strong and
  Electro-Weak forces (GUTS?)
• It ignores Gravity, so does not tell us
  anything about how it
• might be unified with the other
  forces ( TOE ?)
• It does not explain why there are so
  many generations of particles
• It does not explain the disappearance of
  anti-matter in the Universe.

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Lets focus on this lepton
And mention this one..
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What are Cosmic Rays??

• Cosmic Rays subatomic particles
• Cosmic Rays unsure of their origin (magnetic
  fields)
• Composed of various types of particle
• Primary Cosmic Rays
• Hydrogen nuclei (87)
• Helium nuclei (12) alpha particle
• Nuclei from heavier elements
• High speed electrons beta particles
• Secondary Cosmic Rays
• Particles slam into gas atoms in upper
  atmosphere
• Fragments shower down and/or disintegrate
  pions ? muons neutrinos pion
  ? electron positron gamma rays
• Muon and neurtrinos make it to the surface of
  the earth

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Lets build a detectorCloud Chamber
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