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High energy particles (cosmic rays) interact in the Earth's atmosphere to create particle showers. (Artist's Conception)
The particle showers often produce muons, which can be detected easily using the Quarknet CRMD system! Here our system is set up in the Virginia Tech KURF mine.
MCPS's Ms. J is currently the Lead Teacher at the Virginia Tech Quarknet Center, dedicated to bringing experimental particle physics, and other cutting edge modern physics, to the classroom. She currently has one Cosmic Ray Muon Detector (or CRMD), provided by Fermilab and the Department of Energy, which can be used by students to do particle physics experiments in our high schools! Additionally, she works every summer with the VT Particle Physics group, both as a reseach assistent in the lab and to arrange professional development for local secondary science teachers.
The Kimballton Underground Research Facility (KURF) Level 2
Entrance to the KURF mine.
Teachers setting up the CRMD at KURF.
The CRMD taking data in the Physics Lab at CHS.
Cosmic Muon Peaks. Data Readout from the Detector.
Another view of the CRMD setup in the classroom.
More information on particle physics in the classroom can be found by asking Ms. J or by perusing these sites:
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