Placemat Weve talked about particles, charged particles...so what could we learn about… Particle accelerators?

You have 3 minutes to write down as much as you can. What could we learn about particle accelerators? What do you want to know?

You will now take it in turns to discuss your thoughts. Your goal is to agree on the two questions you think it is most important to explore in this section. You must all be able to explain the groups reasoning. Discuss, explaining your reasoning Once you have reached agreement, write the two questions in the centre

As we progress through the unit, note down questions that you would ask a particle physicist if you met one.

The L arge H adron C ollider Image courtesy of CERN

How much?!!!?!?!?!?!?!?! £2.6 billion pounds Thats £2.1 billion for the collider and £575 million for the detectors.

But lets get a handle on that number. The cost is shared by the 20 member states of Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN). The UKs direct contribution to the LHC is £34 million per year (thats 55p per person in the UK).

The UK pays £70 milliom per year as an annual subscription to CERN.

Compare that with… £431 million

Compare that with… £850 billion

Compare that with… £692 million

Compare that with… £95.6 million

Compare that with… £365 million

Still not convinced?

What is this story? One is the will to show that after the devastation caused by the worlds first atomic bomb in 1945, physics research could be used to do something for peace. It is a story, in the planning and throughout its 56- year history, of pushing technology and human ingenuity to the limits.

What is this story? A story of the power of science to overcome physical, political and religious boundaries.

What is this story? A story of that tells us that science is alive. And it matters. And that all that is needed for creative thinking is freedom.

At the moment of impact of the particles, a previously unachievable temperature is reached. Protons (hadrons) are approaching the speed of light. Particles are released that have not existed in a free state since the Big Bang.

Of all of the information generated, anywhere in the world, in any format, 1% of it comes from the LHC. In 2004, this required 30,000–40,000 of the high spec PCs at CERN itself, plus 10–12 major centres around the world and 50–60 smaller centres. Now you perhaps understand why they needed to invent the world wide web!

The simplest type of particle accelerator forms the basis of traditional CRT television and computer monitor technology. The cathode-ray tube we have used in the lab is a particle accelerator. On a much smaller scale than CERN of course!

A particle accelerator is designed 'to speed up and increase the energy of a beam of particles by generating electric fields that accelerate the particles, and magnetic fields that steer and focus them.' 'Accelerators were invented to provide energetic particles to investigate the structure of the atomic nucleus.' Explanations courtesy of CERN.

Read and discuss the History Highlights from History54-en.html History54-en.html Put together a glossary of scientific terms and their meanings – include a reference for each one.

Image courtesy of CERN

Can you persuade the governments of the world to fund your new accelerator? You must submit a bid (in electronic form) that is thoroughly researched, investigated and costed. Image courtesy of CERN

an electronic presentation, fully referenced. Consider the use of images and multimedia (eg video files) to support your case. Image courtesy of CERN

Include a scientific explanation, with clear diagrams, of the operation of your accelerator. Include details of each of the basic parts of an accelerator and what it does. Explain the physics! Image courtesy of CERN

Include a case for support, including the purpose and benefits of the particle accelerator, and historical information. eg a similar accelerator which cost £x in 19xx operated successfully for 25 years. Image courtesy of CERN

Quality information, referenced and cros- referenced. Scientific explanations of the operation of particle accelerators. Numbers! Lengths, strengths and comparisons to allow us to get a handle on the numbers. Understanding the basics of the operation of particle accelerators.

Group A: A synchrotron for medical applications Group B: A cyclotron for cancer treatment (proton therapy) and PET imaging Group C: A linear accelerator (LINAC) Group D: A cyclotron for nuclear physics research Group E: A synchrotron for life science and materials research applications

CERN is a high-quality, cutting-edge source of information. The website includes simulations, videos and lots of other resources The UKs Diamond Light Source particle accelerator also has high-quality information on its general website and in the education section. Stanford University (home of the SLAC) has a virtual visitor centre Fermilab – anatomy of a detector and much more! (fermilab)

Are there questions to which you just cannot find the answer? Would you like some help from a particle physicist? Write your questions in your jotter.

The L arge H adron C ollider Image courtesy of CERN