I need recommendations for an interesting Senior Project.

[AMuonParticle]

I'm currently a junior in high school, and I'm really interested in physics, especially particle physics and quantum mechanics. At my school, everybody needs to do a big senior project to graduate, involving multiple papers and about 30 hours of work, usually to build something or organize a community event. Most people end up restoring an old car or something similar, but I would really like to tie in my interest in theoretical physics. I still have another 6 months before I need to know exactly what I'm going to do. Does anyone have any recommendations for a long term project involving these areas of physics? My first thought was to build a small particle accelerator, but I don't have any experience working with electricity, so I'd probably accidentally fry myself from the high voltage. Other ideas?

 

[micromass]

Are you good with programming?

 

[AMuonParticle]

Are you good with programming?

I'm no expert, I know python pretty well, and I'm starting to learn Java. I'll be taking AP Computer Science next year so I should be a lot more well-versed with Java by the time I'm actually working on the project.

 

[micromass]

I'm no expert, I know python pretty well, and I'm starting to learn Java. I'll be taking AP Computer Science next year so I should be a lot more well-versed with Java by the time I'm actually working on the project.

Well, you could write some kind of simulation. Like simulate a solar system, a chaotic double pendulum, etc.

 

[AMuonParticle]

Well, you could write some kind of simulation. Like simulate a solar system, a chaotic double pendulum, etc.

That's actually a pretty good idea. I might be able to tie that into particle physics by simulating some basic interactions. I'll definitely consider that as an option, thanks!