Particulate emissions, also known as particulate matter pollution, are a major health and environmental concern caused by factories and vehicles. They can harm animals, plants, and the climate, and cause respiratory conditions and cardiovascular problems in humans. To address this issue, fuel efficiency standards and emission filter systems are used to reduce production and release […]
Particleboard is a cheaper alternative to plywood and hardwoods in furniture manufacturing. It is made by combining wood chips, shavings, and sawdust with resin and pressing the mixture into boards. The wood fibers are mixed with resin, pressed into sheets, and cured in ovens. Veneers can be added for appearance. Particleboard has been in use […]
Magnetic particle inspection is a non-destructive testing method for ferrous materials. A magnetic field is applied, and particles are sprayed onto the object. Defects cause a distortion in the field, making particles cluster. This method is fast, inexpensive, and can be used on parts in production or in service. Dyes can be added to make […]
Particle accelerators use electric fields to accelerate charged particles to high speeds. They are used to observe small particles and generate electromagnetic radiation. There are two types: circular and linear. Circular accelerators save hardware but emit synchrotron radiation, while linear accelerators fire particles in a straight line. They are used in physics applications to simulate […]
Particle physics studies fundamental particles and their forces, often through high-energy collisions in particle accelerators. The Standard Model, developed in the 1970s, includes 31 particles, with fermions making up matter and bosons mediating interactions. Neutrinos, which were discovered to have mass in 1998, are also studied in neutrino astronomy. Particle physics yields insights useful to […]
Beta particles are high-speed electrons or positrons released from radioactive nuclei. They are one of the least harmful forms of radiation but still pose a significant health problem. Beta emitters include strontium-90, potassium-40, technetium-99, tritium, and carbon-14. Beta particles cause ballistic damage and break chemical bonds, creating tissue-damaging ions. They are used in radioisotope thermoelectric […]
Particle bombardment is a technique that introduces foreign DNA into cells using a ‘gene gun’. Heavy metal particles are used to breach the cell wall and inject customized DNA. It was first used in transgenic crop development and requires finesse to minimize cell damage and ensure appropriate DNA is used. Particle bombardment is a technique […]
Alpha particles are a type of ionizing radiation, consisting of two neutrons and two protons with no electrons. They have low penetration but high destructive power and are emitted by radioactive substances. Alpha decay is mediated by the strong force and quantum tunneling. Alpha emitters include polonium, radium, radon gas, and uranium, and can cause […]
Particle beams, usually consisting of charged particles, are used in particle accelerators, CRT televisions, and cancer therapies. They can reach speeds of 99.999% of the speed of light. The most powerful particle beams are found in the Large Hadron Collider. A particle beam is a beam of accelerated particles, usually charged particles (ions). Real-life applications […]
Particle accelerators accelerate subatomic particles to high speeds and keep them in small beams. They have many applications in physics research, including the discovery of the Higgs boson particle. Low-energy accelerators, such as cathode ray tubes and X-ray generators, are used in everyday life. More powerful accelerators are used for scientific purposes, and some have […]
Particle detectors are scientific equipment used to detect high-energy particles. They range from portable Geiger counters to sophisticated devices attached to particle accelerators. They are used in research, applied physics, security checks, and investigations into the nature of the universe. They can detect particles and return information about particle attributes using ionization or luminescence. They […]
Particle counters detect and count matter in samples, providing size information. They can be used for quality control, contamination detection, and public health. Techniques include light scattering or obscuring. They are useful in air quality monitoring, healthcare, and manufacturing. Some are portable or fixed, and documentation provides information on detection capabilities. Selecting the right equipment […]
Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a method to visualize fluid flow by introducing tracer particles that behave like the fluid. PIV uses computer software to record and enhance visible tracers, and can be used with small glass beads, aluminum flakes, or oil droplets. PIV is used in aerospace engineering, healthcare, and biology, and can record […]
Particle theory proposes that matter is made up of tiny particles in constant motion. John Dalton proposed the atom as a fundamental particle, but it was later discovered that there are even smaller particles. The standard model deals with three of the four known interactions and predicts the Higgs boson. Particle theory helps classify the […]
