RHIC: Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Grades 6-8

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.

BNL Science Link: Coming Soon

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.

National Science Education Standards
Content Standard A- Science as Inquiry
Content Standard B- Physical Science
Content Standard D- Earth and Space Science
Content Standard E- Science and Technology
Content Standard F- Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
New York State Learning Standards
Math, Science, Technology Standards 1, 3, 4, 6, 7

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