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Build a linear accelerator model

Lewis, Joanna and Michalak, Lukasz LU (2024) In Science in School
Abstract
Build a linear accelerator to demonstrate spallation – the source of high-energy neutrons used by the new European Spallation Source being built in Sweden.

In this activity, we build a model of a linear accelerator (linac) called a Gauss cannon. It uses magnetic attraction and momentum transfer to accelerate a series of steel balls, representing protons. At the end of the track, one ‘proton’ will collide with a bunch of balls or marbles, which represent the neutron-rich nucleus of a tungsten atom. If the initial ‘protons’ have sufficient energy, they will be able to release the ‘neutrons’, thereby modelling the spallation process.
Abstract (Swedish)
Build a linear accelerator to demonstrate spallation – the source of high-energy neutrons used by the new European Spallation Source being built in Sweden.

In this activity, we build a model of a linear accelerator (linac) called a Gauss cannon. It uses magnetic attraction and momentum transfer to accelerate a series of steel balls, representing protons. At the end of the track, one ‘proton’ will collide with a bunch of balls or marbles, which represent the neutron-rich nucleus of a tungsten atom. If the initial ‘protons’ have sufficient energy, they will be able to release the ‘neutrons’, thereby modelling the spallation process.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to specialist publication or newspaper
publication status
published
subject
keywords
linac, linjäraccelerator, modell, fysikundervisning, linac, linear accelerator, model, teaching physics
categories
Popular Science
in
Science in School
issue
67
pages
6 pages
publisher
EIROforum
ISSN
1818-0361
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a9e2e283-0fe6-49bd-984f-e1d89bcbc044
alternative location
https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2024/build-a-linear-accelerator-model/
date added to LUP
2024-04-04 12:10:44
date last changed
2024-04-05 09:49:32
@misc{a9e2e283-0fe6-49bd-984f-e1d89bcbc044,
  abstract     = {{Build a linear accelerator to demonstrate spallation – the source of high-energy neutrons used by the new European Spallation Source being built in Sweden.<br/><br/>In this activity, we build a model of a linear accelerator (linac) called a Gauss cannon. It uses magnetic attraction and momentum transfer to accelerate a series of steel balls, representing protons. At the end of the track, one ‘proton’ will collide with a bunch of balls or marbles, which represent the neutron-rich nucleus of a tungsten atom. If the initial ‘protons’ have sufficient energy, they will be able to release the ‘neutrons’, thereby modelling the spallation process.}},
  author       = {{Lewis, Joanna and Michalak, Lukasz}},
  issn         = {{1818-0361}},
  keywords     = {{linac; linjäraccelerator; modell; fysikundervisning; linac; linear accelerator; model; teaching physics}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  number       = {{67}},
  publisher    = {{EIROforum}},
  series       = {{Science in School}},
  title        = {{Build a linear accelerator model}},
  url          = {{https://www.scienceinschool.org/article/2024/build-a-linear-accelerator-model/}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}