How to make a cloud chamber

How to make a cloud chamber for observing cosmic rays using (mostly!) everyday household items. Presented by Suzie Sheehy (http://suziesheehy.co.uk/) and videography by Andrew Steele (http://andrewsteele.co.uk/).

This video came about as a result of setting up a workshop building cloud chambers for the APPEAL (Accelerator and Particle Physics at A-Level) teacher conference, in the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science at the University of Oxford. The workshop was adapted from the CERN Cloud Chamber workshop, with the assistance of MIck Storr.

Please note that all activities involving dry ice and/or alcohol should be accompanied by a proper risk assessment and safety equipment. We cannot take responsibility for the outcome of any activity undertaken as a result of this video.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• cloud
• chamber
• muon
• muons
• particle
• physics
• cosmic rays

[00Balth00]

Are you sure that those things are muons ?

Because if I remember well my physics courses, muons travel almost at the speed of light, which is too fast to be seen by the naked eye... And furthermore, with respect to our frame reference, muons live only about 40 microseconds...

I would rather say that what we see are alpha and/or beta particules, no ?

[andrewstattosteele]

@00Balth00 Yeah, they definitely are...there are no radioactive sources around to emit alpha and beta particles, so they must be. What you're seeing isn't the muon itself, but the trail of cloud droplets left in its wake, which move at rather less than the speed of light!

[juankenon]

excellent work, both of you, really clearly explained, perfect for kids.

[sprattysy]

i enjoyed this vid

[osclarkos]

love the video man

[00Balth00]

@andrewstattosteele It makes sense. ^^ Thank you for your quick answer.

[DoveDancing]

Fantastic. thank you

[rontepros]

Dear Suzie and Andrew.

This is super. My kids are going build it.

Thanks

Peter

[drheaddamage]

Nice one! Will try doing this the next time I have a presentation coming up :)