NYSMTP Minicourse - Discovering the Subatomic World!
NYSMTP Minicourse - Discovering the Subatomic World
The" Discovering the Subatomic World" minicourse is scheduled for March 3, 10, and 17, 2016. Live broadcasts will be from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
Abstract
From the discovery of the electron in 1897 to the recent identification of the Higgs Boson, physicists have been intrigued by the subatomic world and have developed novel experimental methods to investigate particles and nuclei at these scales. These experiments have produced surprising results, revealing new realms of energetics and structural complexity for the atomic nucleus, internal structure of the protons and neutrons, and entirely new forms of matter. Some of these experimental methods are suitable for experiments at an undergraduate college while others are billion dollar investments involving international teams of hundreds of physicists and engineers.
In this course, we will discuss the question “How do we learn about the subatomic world?” by investigating key experimental approaches that have led to new discoveries. This course will emphasize experiments rather than theory.
Please remember to bring your calculator to the minicourses!
We will be using a cell phone-based inclass response system in class. I will provide instructions at the beginning of each session.
Day 01
I'm disappointed that the live broadcast did not work, but I am grateful for those of you who have showed an interest in the minicourse. In the video below I make an annoying physics mistake (regarding electric force and electric field) on p. 9. I apologize! But I corrected it in the Pre-Class Notes above.
Archive Link for Day 01 (The actual course instruction starts about 18 minutes in to the recording. You can slide the bar on the bottom to advance to the start of instruction.) Apparently my mic was rubbing against my shirt when I moved around. I'll try to remedy that for next time.
Here's the link to the "double slit electron interference" video I mentioned in class.
Day 02
Archive Link for Day 02 (The actual course instruction starts about 17 minutes in to the recording. You can slide the bar on the bottom to advance to the start of instruction.)
Here's the link to the Rutherford Scattering simulation. Here's a video about Geneseo's 1.7 MV Pelletron Accelerator
Day 03
Archive Link for Day 03 (The actual course instruction starts about 16 minutes into the recording. You can slide the bar on the bottom to advance to the start of instruction.)
Here's the link to the Contemporary Physics Education Project Fundamental Particles and Interactions Chart