Particle Detectors Tutorial

Divide into 3 groups. Each group should answer the Foundation Question plus one of the three Group questions. Each group should prepare to present to the other groups what they have learned.

Foundation Question for all 3 groups:  Describe the layers of a detector such as ATLAS or CMS. Why are these layers needed?

Group questions (one per group):

1. What are 2-3 ways to detect particles based on their electric charges?
2. How can electrically uncharged particles be detected? Give 2 examples.
3. How and why are magnets used in particle detectors? 

Each group reports when finished.

Resources:

• ATLAS
• CMS
• ATLAS animation
• Wikipedia - Particle Detector
• symmetry - How to build your own particle detector
• CERN - How a detector works
• Oxford Physics - Particle Detectors
• The Particle Adventure