Major
Physics
Anticipated Graduation Year
2026
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
This project investigates particle motion within a cloud chamber using a thoriated electrode and Helmholtz coil to artificially “create” alpha and beta particles, respectively, within the chamber. To quantify the motion of these particles, we monitor the chamber’s internal conditions using an Arduino micro-controller and trace the particles’ paths of motion using a video analysis software called Fiji. The value of this research comes from the experimental process itself because it necessitates the use of programming skills, a comprehensive understanding of complex physical principles, and an intensive data collection process by undergraduate students.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Dr. Jon Bougie, Physics Department
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Alpha and Beta Particle Motion Ray Tracing in a Cloud Chamber
This project investigates particle motion within a cloud chamber using a thoriated electrode and Helmholtz coil to artificially “create” alpha and beta particles, respectively, within the chamber. To quantify the motion of these particles, we monitor the chamber’s internal conditions using an Arduino micro-controller and trace the particles’ paths of motion using a video analysis software called Fiji. The value of this research comes from the experimental process itself because it necessitates the use of programming skills, a comprehensive understanding of complex physical principles, and an intensive data collection process by undergraduate students.