Contextualized magnetism in secondary school: learning from the LHC (CERN)

Abstract

Physics teachers in secondary schools usually mention the world's largest particle physics laboratory—CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)—only because of the enormous size of the accelerators and detectors used there, the number of scientists involved in their activities and also the necessary international scientific collaboration. Impressive pictures of the accelerators and detectors are also shown. This is correct but clearly incomplete since there are other didactic possibilities to explore while talking about one of the most important scientific institutions in the world. The aim of this article is to introduce a few simple physical calculations about some magnetic phenomena that took place in old accelerators and will be present when the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) starts working in 2007. They can be used in the classroom in order to stimulate the curiosity of students, to help them to understand those physical concepts, and as an example of the relationship between the 'cold equations' of physics on the blackboard and the exciting work in scientific research.