Superconducting Super Collider
The superconducting super collider (SSC) is a machine that would be used to study the properties of matter and the forces that control particles like protons, neutrons, or electrons. Scientists want to smash particles together and see what happens.
Now, in order to smash particles together, we need a big machine. The SSC is a huge ring-shaped tunnel, similar to a race track, about 54 miles long. Inside the tunnel, there are two tubes, which are separated by powerful magnets, and run in opposite directions around the ring. The tubes carry particles like protons or electrons, which are accelerated almost to the speed of light.
The idea is to collide these particles together in the middle of the tunnel, where the two tubes meet, creating a huge explosion! Scientists can then study the leftover particles and see what they are made of.
The SSC is called superconducting because it uses a special type of magnet called a superconductor. These magnets are so strong that they can control the particles even when they are traveling at almost the speed of light around the tunnel.
Unfortunately, the SSC was never fully built because it was very expensive, and the government decided to cancel funding for it in the 1990s. But scientists are still using other particle colliders to learn more about matter and the universe!
Now, in order to smash particles together, we need a big machine. The SSC is a huge ring-shaped tunnel, similar to a race track, about 54 miles long. Inside the tunnel, there are two tubes, which are separated by powerful magnets, and run in opposite directions around the ring. The tubes carry particles like protons or electrons, which are accelerated almost to the speed of light.
The idea is to collide these particles together in the middle of the tunnel, where the two tubes meet, creating a huge explosion! Scientists can then study the leftover particles and see what they are made of.
The SSC is called superconducting because it uses a special type of magnet called a superconductor. These magnets are so strong that they can control the particles even when they are traveling at almost the speed of light around the tunnel.
Unfortunately, the SSC was never fully built because it was very expensive, and the government decided to cancel funding for it in the 1990s. But scientists are still using other particle colliders to learn more about matter and the universe!