Particle Observation Using a Cloud Chamber

L F Kemsley, H O Nixon-Roworth, R Stanley, J Muñetón

lkemsley1@Sheffield.ac.uk, rstanley1@sheffield.ac.uk
honixon-roworth1@Sheffield.ac.uk, jdmunetondiaz1@sheffield.ac.uk
1. Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to demonstrate the usefulness of a cloud chamber in observing particles and measuring their properties and behaviours. In this
investigation the average path length of alpha particles was measured, and found to be [3.9±0.1]cm; this value has a maximum error of 2.35%. [2] Using a cloud
chamber to observe particles is an ideal experiment for undergraduates, as it allows students to fully appreciate the basics of particle physics and helps them to
visualise what would otherwise not be visible to the naked eye.

2. Background/Theory (How the cloud chamber works) 4. Observations

A cloud chamber is a simple particle detector that consists of a sealed chamber,

alcohol (in this investigation, isopropanol) and a temperature gradient.[3] This
gradient is obtained by resting the metal base plate on dry ice. There is an alcohol
reservoir situated at the top of the chamber. Once the liquid begins to evaporate, it
forms a vapour that cools as it falls through the air and condenses on the cold base
plate. The result is a supersaturated gas, in which the gas contains more vapour than
it can hold in stable equilibrium, and which is easily disrupted. When a charged
particle with high energy passes through it knocks electrons off of molecules and
leaves them ionised. These ions act as condensation nuclei and the propanol vapour
condenses around them, forming small cloud droplets. The path of the particle is
visible to the naked eye as a trail of cloud. These trails can be used to identify and Figures 1,2,3: The observations made in
the two separate cloud chambers. Figure 1
investigate the ions passing through the chamber. (top left) shows the smaller cloud
chamber, there is a small radium source in
the center that is decaying, and alpha
particles are being ejected, as seen by the
3. Homemade Cloud Chamber trails of clouds. Figure 2 (top right) Is a
photo from the large cloud chamber,
containing a weak thorium source. It
shows the production of two pairs of alpha
particles. The two lines that form a ‘v’
shape make up one pair, whilst another
Initially the plan of this investigation was to build a homemade cloud pair were ejected almost parallel from
chamber out of cheap and easily sourced materials. Two attempts were each other. Figure 3 (bottom left) shows a
muon track in the larger cloud chamber.
trialled, using a plastic fish tank and a Tupperware box; in one chamber a
vapour was produced, however it was difficult to reach and maintain the
Several video recordings were taken and the average path length of
required temperature gradient and sustain the supersaturated vapour. No
alpha particles in the large cloud chamber was calculated. The
observations could be made due to this. Problems that arose were:
average path length was found to be [3.9±0.1]cm with a standard
● Finding adhesives that could survive contact with propanol. These
deviation of 0.2. The actual range of alpha particles in air is
adhesives were used to attach the felt and to keep the chamber
3.82cm.[2] The maximum error on the experimental value is therefore
airtight. The adhesives dissolved in propanol, which prevented the
2.35%.
seal from functioning sufficiently to maintain the temperature gradient.
For the radium source in the small detector, as shown in figure 1,
● The scale of the chamber also made it difficult to create a sufficient
we saw the alpha particles forming towards the source verifying that
temperature gradient. Warming of the top of the chamber was
ionisation exponentially increases as a particle loses energy.
attempted with beakers of hot water but a stable environment for
detecting particles couldn’t be obtained.
● An electric field would have helped remove unwanted ions from the
chamber but safety and other practical constraints prevented this, . 5. First year experiment suggestions
However, this problem could be resolved for the case of the mini cloud
chamber, shown in figure 1, as it had a removable lid which could be
rubbed to create the electric field. Also the smaller scale of the cloud
chamber makes the temperature gradient easier to maintain. As well as identifying subatomic particles
On the whole it was decided that it would be more suitable to use a first year lab students could investigate
pre-built cloud chamber for a first year lab. Too much time would different physical phenomena such as:
otherwise be spent tweaking the experiment rather than using it to make ● Radioactivity: measuring the activity of
observations. different sources.
● Cosmic background rays: calculating
the probability of an event in a certain
timespan and observing.
6. Acknowledgements ● The effect of magnetism: with a small
chamber like this, neodymium
magnets could be used to explore the
We would like to thank Sam Fargher for his support in helping us to effects of magnetic fields or even to
produce observable results, and acting as a consultant to assist with the make a rudimentary velocity selector,
planning and running of the experiment. We also thank the physics this was our original idea in fact.
Figure 4- table of particle paths that
department for their time and effort in helping complete the experiment. can be observed in a cloud chamber, ● Collision and/or scattering between
and the paths that they create particles.
(image is not our own).[1]
7. References
[1] Drescher, (2000),H.-J. Cosmic Ray Air Shower Pictures, 6. Conclusion
Frankfurt Institute Of Advanced Studies
[2] D. Wagenaar, (1995), Scaling Laws, Med.Harvard.Edu .
[3] I. Iván Esteban Muñoz, 1, (2015). Detection Of Particles With A The cloud chamber is very useful in its ability to allow the observation of behaviours
Cloud Chamber of particles which otherwise would be unobservable by sight. A first year cohort
could benefit from using cloud chambers in a lab session, as this investigation
involves the concept of radioactive decay and is rather involved, yet with premade
cloud chambers, reasonably simple to run. There are several physical phenomena
that can be observed during the set up and running of the experiment.