OPERATION CLOUD CHAMBER!

By Eileen Moon, Avni Murarka, Suya Metzmaker, and Thomas

Diamantopoulos.

State the Problem: What are the most common particles in science labs?

Research: A cloud chamber does not detect subatomic particles themselves, but they do
detect the paths of subatomic particles. You can tell a subatomic particle by their path.
For example:
Short, fat paths = Alpha particles. These guys are made up of 2 protons (positively
charged subatomic units of matter) and 2 neutrons (subatomic units of matter with no
charge.) Long, straight paths = Muons, which are like heavy electrons (negatively charged
subatomic units of matter.) They are formed when a cosmic ray bumps into a molecule in
the atmosphere. Curly-cues and zigzags = Electrons and positrons, which are like protons
except they are units of antimatter, which is the opposite of matter. Forked tracks =
Either a decayed particle or an ionized atom.

Rationale: The reason why this is important is so we can find out if there are any extremely radioactive
things inside our lab to warn the students and teachers! (And because it is a fantastic experiment!)
Hypothesis:
EM: I think that the gaga pit will have the least muons. I also think that the
bathrooms will have the most radioactivity.
AM: My hypothesis is that the gaga pit wall will have the least radioactivity.
TD: My hypothesis is that the gaga pit will have the most muons.
SM: My hypothesis is that both the girls and boy's bathroom will have the least radioactivity.

My supplies: Glue, felt, warm 99% isopropyl alcohol, black paint, tray, clear acrylic,
ourselves, lots-of-courage, dry ice and base container

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Plan: to do it
all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Procure a gray tray.

2. Paint the tray black with 2 layers of paint.
3. Laser cut a box without a base using the laser cutter.
4. Hot glue the clear acrylic together in the shape of a box with no open.
5. Hot glue a piece of felt onto the top of the clear acrylic box.
6. Procure dry ice.
7. Find 2 Neo Pixel LEDs
8. Program the Neo Pixels so that they make the brightest white light.
9. Find 91% isopropyl alcohol.
10. Cover box with black construction paper.
11. Place dry ice under tray
12. Put box on tray.
13. Soak box w/ alcohol.
14. Put lid on.
15. Take box around school and observe paths on tray.

Websites: https://www.instructables.com/id/Cloud-Chamber-a-Project-to-Detect-Muons/

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