Fundamental Measurement of Subatomic Particles: Techniques and References

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the techniques used for fundamental measurements of subatomic particles, including their position, momentum, energy, and mass. Participants seek references and insights into both traditional and modern measurement methods in experimental physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the measurement techniques for the position of photons and subatomic particles, expressing interest in various methods beyond a specific NIST device that utilizes absolute zero cooling.
  • The same participant mentions the Heisenberg uncertainty principle as a basis for measuring position and momentum through changes in the path of photons and wavelength shifts.
  • Another participant references a resource from CERN that discusses continuous measurement of both position and momentum, indicating that the curvature of particle tracks can provide insights into momentum, mass, and velocity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus, as participants express varying levels of familiarity with measurement techniques and seek additional information without resolving the inquiries posed.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the measurement of energy and mass of subatomic particles, indicating a lack of clarity on these topics. There are also references to specific resources, but no definitive methods are established.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in experimental physics, particularly those looking for insights into measurement techniques for subatomic particles.

comote
Messages
72
Reaction score
0
I am curious how exactly fundamental measurements are made for subatomic particles. I am hoping someone who knows can point me to some references as to the following:

1) How is the position of a photon measured?
2) How is the position of a subatomic particle measured?
3) How is the momentum of a subatomic particle measured?
4) How is the energy of a subatomic particle measured?
5) How is the mass of a subatomc particle measured?

For 1) I got an answer about NIST's device that cools the environment to absolute zero and then registers a small change in heat as the position of the photon. Is this really the best way to do this? What other techniques are there?

for 2) and 3) I can follow the Heisenberg argument about registering the change of a path of a photon to register the position of the particle and finding the change in momentum by recording the change in wavelength of the light used to detect the particle.
If there are more modern ways to do this though I would appreciate the information.

The other quantities I have no idea about how to measure these.

I am more a math guy than a physics guy so the actual experiments to determine these properties are foreign to me. I would appreciate any help though.
Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Guess I should have looked a little farther down the page . . . Mods can delete if you like, sorry.
 
In http://teachers.web.cern.ch/teachers/archiv/HST2002/Bubblech/guide.html" you continuously measure both position and momentum.

http://teachers.web.cern.ch/teachers/archiv/HST2002/Bubblech/guide_files/index.gif
Quoting: "The straightness of the tracks is related to the momentum of the particle. This in turn is related to both the mass and velocity of the particle. The greater the momentum the straighter the path will be. A very curved path will indicate that the particle has low momentum and a straight path that it has high momentum."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
969
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
5K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
9K