cloud chamber

American  

noun

Physics.

1. an apparatus for determining the movements of charged particles, consisting of a chamber containing a supersaturated mixture of gas and vapor, the vapor condensing around ions created by the particle in its passing, thereby revealing the path of the particle.

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cloud chamber British  

noun

1. Also called: Wilson cloud chamber.  physics an apparatus for detecting high-energy particles by observing their tracks through a chamber containing a supersaturated vapour. Each particle ionizes molecules along its path and small droplets condense on them to produce a visible track

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cloud chamber Scientific  

1. A device used to observe the movements of charged atomic and subatomic particles, such as ions, electrons, or muons. Cloud chambers consist of a closed container filled with a gas that is on the verge of condensing. Charged particles passing through the gas ionize the atoms in their path, forming visible lines of condensation.

2. Compare bubble chamber

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Etymology

Origin of cloud chamber

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The team conducted experiments using LEDs shining on an artificial cloud chamber, and they observed heating of the fog, which was not supposed to happen since water does not absorb in the visible spectrum.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

The cloud chamber bowls ring like the tuned glass they are.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2019

Musicians use a mbira, a bamboo marimba, cloud chamber bowls, a chromelodeon, a zoomoozophone — and a cheap clock.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2016

Musicians use a mbira, a bamboo marimba, cloud chamber bowls, a chromelodeon, a zoomoozophone - and a cheap clock.

From Washington Times • Jun. 1, 2016

The bubbles diffract the white light into green, red, and blue, creating a shimmering effect that looks like the twinkling of stars in outer space, or a multicolored cloud chamber.

From Scientific American • Jun. 4, 2012