Post by jasong on Feb 9, 2014 11:12:16 GMT -6
Note about the poll above- The cloud chamber won't take much time to build, and certainly doesn't require any skills (you also won't learn any new skills from the construction). It will be easier with people's schedules if I just build it over spring break, after which we can just meet to do the fun experiments with it.
I have decided in the interest of diversity (and time) to start up a science based project of my own, which anyone may participate (obviously).
What's a cloud chamber??
A "Cloud Chamber" is just another name for a simple low-tech particle detector. The premise is, that high energy particles from deep space, the big bang, and the sun, will collide with Isopropyl "snow" formed in an airtight container, creating streams of "snow dust" allowing you to view these particles with the naked eye.
Particles from deep space???
The "cosmic rays" are essentially atomic nuclei that bombard the Earth's atmosphere at all times (the same effect that creates the aurora) . These hydrogen and helium nuclei are most easily created during nuclear fusion in stars (like our sun) to which they are hurled towards Earth at great speeds. Many cosmic rays however are called "galactic cosmic rays" meaning they come from far, far away - from exploding stars and the big bang itself. Using a simple apparatus, we can detect these particles visually, and even experiment with them. More info on cosmic rays.
The construction is simple:
This isn't going to be the most complicated experiment, there's no math involved (unless we want to calculate the energy of the rays), you don't need to have had taken physics or any science courses, and the whole apparatus will probably only take a day to build - leaving us a lot of time to do multiple experiments with the cosmic rays. Here is a link to the method we'll be using to make the detector -It's worth noting that we can use a Peltier cooler in the place of dry ice (I think). We'll be doing the dry ice method for sure because of funds and ease of construction 
There will be more info to come, If you want to participate please comment on this post, contact me directly, or in some other way let me know you want to help (smoke signals are not always reliable). My email is Jason.garver11@gmail.com, you can find me on facebook too.
This is what we'll be creating - no need to be a ex-British pop star turned physics either, it works for common folk too.
I have decided in the interest of diversity (and time) to start up a science based project of my own, which anyone may participate (obviously).
What's a cloud chamber??
A "Cloud Chamber" is just another name for a simple low-tech particle detector. The premise is, that high energy particles from deep space, the big bang, and the sun, will collide with Isopropyl "snow" formed in an airtight container, creating streams of "snow dust" allowing you to view these particles with the naked eye.
Particles from deep space???
The "cosmic rays" are essentially atomic nuclei that bombard the Earth's atmosphere at all times (the same effect that creates the aurora) . These hydrogen and helium nuclei are most easily created during nuclear fusion in stars (like our sun) to which they are hurled towards Earth at great speeds. Many cosmic rays however are called "galactic cosmic rays" meaning they come from far, far away - from exploding stars and the big bang itself. Using a simple apparatus, we can detect these particles visually, and even experiment with them. More info on cosmic rays.
The construction is simple:
This isn't going to be the most complicated experiment, there's no math involved (unless we want to calculate the energy of the rays), you don't need to have had taken physics or any science courses, and the whole apparatus will probably only take a day to build - leaving us a lot of time to do multiple experiments with the cosmic rays. Here is a link to the method we'll be using to make the detector -
There will be more info to come, If you want to participate please comment on this post, contact me directly, or in some other way let me know you want to help (smoke signals are not always reliable). My email is Jason.garver11@gmail.com, you can find me on facebook too.
This is what we'll be creating - no need to be a ex-British pop star turned physics either, it works for common folk too.
