Largest physics experiment ever involves Cambridge pupils

Institute of Physics

7 March 2008

Large Hadron Collider

Students from Netherhall School, Cambridge, have teamed up with particle physicists at the University of Cambridge for a programme of practical investigations and research to mark the start of the world’s biggest ever physics experiment - the switch-on of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

The LHC is the world’s largest particle accelerator and hadron collider, located at CERN, near Geneva, Switzerland. It has been created by the collaboration of hundreds of universities in more than 30 countries and is expected to answer fundamental questions about the universe, such as the relationship between the four fundamental forces which make life on Earth possible.

The students in Cambridge are working on a project called ‘Smashing Particles! – let’s celebrate the LHC’. Not only have the students from Years 10, 11 and 12 undertaken practical experiments to accelerate electrons, they are also creating a new website, www.smashingparticles.org.uk, and preparing posters for their own stand for National Science and Engineering Week.

In conjunction with pupils and teachers from Yardleys Science College in Birmingham and researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Birmingham, the students at Netherhall School have been preparing for an inter-school conference and for a stand at the Cavendish Laboratory Open Day which is being held on the last day of Science Week (16 March).

The project has been made possible by funding from both the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Royal Society and comes to fruition just before the LHC begins working in May.

Ally Davies, physics teacher from NetherhallSchool who is leading the project, said, “This project allows pupils to have personal involvement in the biggest physics experiment ever – something amazing to inspire them.”

Carl Suard, Year 10 physics student, said, “I understand a little about the LHC and I want to expand my knowledge as well as helping others to expand theirs.”

Sean Hughes, Year 10 physics student, said, “I love science, especially physics. This project has been great fun and a wonderful experience.”

Dr Deirdre Black, research partner at the High Energy Physics Department, University of Cambridge, said, “It is especially rewarding to share the tremendous excitement about the Large Hadron Collider as it starts to zoom in on our universe further than we’ve ever seen before. Some of the Netherhall school children are the scientists of tomorrow and all are citizens in a world where science and its applications are everywhere.”

The students will be presenting their work at the Cavendish Laboratory on Sunday, 16 March, between 14.00 and 17.00 and at Netherhall School between 15.00 and 16.00 on Monday, 17 March.

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