Physics Trip to CERN
Sixth Formers, Avie Badham, Markus van Welderen Rengers, Olivia Brotherton and Xeni Chapman, write:
On the first weekend of the term, a group of Upper Sixth physicists were lucky enough to visit the CERN nuclear research centre in Geneva.
First we visited the Swiss Plasma Centre, where we learned about nuclear fusion through a fascinating tour of the centre. We looked around the TCV Tokamak itself, which is an excellent tool to investigate the physics of nuclear fusion and magnetically-confined plasmas, and we even saw a real time experiment take place in the control room.
Next we took a trip to the CERN gateway which has been developed into an interactive exhibition to learn about particle acceleration and collision. We also participated in a lab-based workshop investigating how we can make and use superconductors.
We then visited one of CERN’s nine detectors, ALICE, which is dedicated to heavy ion collisions. This experiment is designed to study the conditions that are thought to have existed directly after the Big Bang. This visit was followed by a trip to the CERN Control Centre (CCC), where the accelerators for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are operated.
The trip was thoroughly educational and invigorating. It provided valuable insights into the day-to-day work of a physicist, and also educated us about many relevant areas of physics. We enjoyed a boat tour across Lake Geneva, where we saw the impressive Jet de l’Eau and more of Geneva’s beautiful architecture. The trip was finished with a visit to the Museum of the History of Science, which showcased a collection of scientific instruments such as the first ever battery.
The trip was an enjoyable combination of learning about physics and experiencing Geneva’s culture. We left the trip with many fond memories, but more importantly a vast collection of ‘I heart CERN’ toblerones!
