Particle Accelerators

Diagram

The Equipment

Particle Emitter

The particle emitter emits particles. It does this because it most commonly holds an unstable element or isotope that emits particles due to radioactive decay.

Oscillator

Due to the fact that mains power is supplied as direct current (DC), an oscillator is required to to create an alternating currect (AC).

Electrode

The electrodes that work as electromagnets due to the polarity of the current running through them.

How it Works

A positive or negative particle is emitted due to alpha (α) and beta (β) radiation. In the case of alpha, a helion (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is released and in the case of beta radiation, a neutron is split into a proton, electron, and electron antineutrino or a proton is split into a neutron, positron, and electron neutrino. In the case of beta radiation, only the lighter particles are emitted (electron, positron, and neutrinos) although scientists can alter the emitter to only release one specific particle of the four available. These released particles have an overall charge that is either positive or negative and as such can be attracted or repelled by the electrodes. It accelerates particles by having two electrodes - one with the opposite charge in the direction the particles need to travel to attract the particles forwards and one with the same charge as the particles behind them to repel them forwards. When it reaches the attracting electrode, the polarities reverse and the same effect occurs again, this makes the particles accelerate forwards enabling scientists to take readings.