Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Learn how scientists use BNL's particle accelerator as a microscope. Observe superconducting magnets at work using liquid nitrogen to change the properties of matter.

Contact Information

For more information about this program, contact:

Menzel Smith-Jones
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Bldg.400C – P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
631-344-4495 (phone)
631-344-7098 (fax)
slc@bnl.gov

Discover how scientists use BNL’s particle accelerator as a microscope. Students will gain an understanding of the size of atoms and experiment with collision simulations. They will also observe superconducting magnets at work and view a demonstration of how the properties of matter can change at very cold temperatures.

Audience for This Program

Jr. High School Level 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades

Program Benefits

Vocabulary

basic research, applied research, atom, proton, neutron, electron, ion, quarks, gluons, plasma, collider, detector, relativistic, electromagnetic, super-conducting, Meisner effect, weak force, strong force, cryogenics

Lesson Objectives

1) Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and size of atoms.

2) Conduct an experiment to demonstrate the impacts of two types of collisions.

3) Observe and explain the results from these two collisions.

4) Observe that properties of materials can change when the temperature changes, in particular the properties of superconductors.