Electron beams (16-19 years)

Electron beams

Learn how to make and control an electron beam and observe how electrons behave in magnetic fields.

CERN hosts a huge complex of different particle accelerators that boost the energy of beams of electrically charged particles. For example, in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), beams of protons are accelerated up to the record energy of 6.8 TeV per proton before they are made to collide inside gigantic particle detectors. While electric fields are used to make electrically charged particles go faster, accelerators like the LHC use magnetic fields to force the particles on a circular path.

In this workshop, participants explore a small electron accelerator and study the basic principles of particle acceleration. They learn how an electron beam can be produced, how electrons can be accelerated and learn how we can control and deflect electron beams simply by using magnets.

Age
16-19 years
Duration
90 minutes
Languages
Up to 30 languages for groups, depending on guide availability.
Participants
12 to 24
Accessibility
Pushchair and wheelchair accessible.