The information below is subject to change as more event tips and details are included.  Please monitor this page regularly.

Event Description:

Colliding Beams

 In this activity students will simulate a high-energy physics colliding-beams experiment, such as those done by UM researchers at the FERMI Lab accelerator near Chicago. In these experiments a beam of high energy protons is collided head on with a similar beam of anti-protons (a form of antimatter). The two protons annihilate each other into pure energy which than can then via E=mc^2 create many new types of particles. This was the method used by UM researchers and their collaborators to discover the “top” quark , the last of the 6 basic quarks (see:  http://www.fnal.gov/pub/inquiring/physics/discoveries/top_quark.html ).

 We will simulate such collisions by having students at opposite ends of a long hallway launch large hovering pucks at each other for a near head-on collision. The goal is to scatter each puck off to 90 degrees (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the incident “beam” directions). Markers set at regular angular intervals (for example at 10 degree intervals) will be used to judge the accuracy of collision.

Pucks are available from many vendors!

Event Location and Time:

Apparatus and Materials:

During the competition we will supply:

• Two pucks in proper operational order.
• Two simple puck launching means, which may be used at the discretion of the participants.
• Note paper and pencils.
• Safety equipment, as deem necessary by the judges.

Event Rules:

• Each team must have two members.

• Each team member must take a quiz related to colliding beam experiments, including discovery of the top quark (see above link).

• There will be a practice trial for each team. 

• There will be three official trials per team.

• No materials will be provided to repair or improve the puck launchers.

Judging Criteria:

• The maximum score per trial shall be 200 points. With 100 pts awarded for each puck scattered into 90 degrees (+/- 5 deg.).

• For each scattered puck in a trial, 10 points will be deducted for each 10 degrees away from 90 degrees. 

• The combined quiz score of the team members will count 30% of the total points.

The Total Team Score = [3 x (score per trial) x 0.70] + [(quiz score) x 0.30]

 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals will be awarded to the teams with the highest three scores, respectively.

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Revised: March 08, 2008.