Cloud Chamber

A Wilson cloud chamber makes subatomic particles visible. Supersaturated vapor condenses along the ionization trails left by charged particles, creating ghostly tracks that reveal the particle’s mass, charge, and energy. Alpha particles leave thick, short, straight tracks. Beta particles (electrons) produce thin, erratic paths. Muons from cosmic rays streak through with long, straight trails. Apply a magnetic field to curve charged particle tracks — the Larmor radius reveals the particle’s momentum.