Particle Accelerators Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Particle Accelerators Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What do you know about atoms?

What do you think a particle accelerator might be?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:17: What propels the particles that make up an atom?

Timecode 1:49: How did scientists discover that protons and neutrons weren’t fundamental?

Timecode 2:29: What does a particle accelerator do? Why did scientists invent it?

Timecode 2:41: What’s the difference between a LINAC, cyclotron, and syncotron?

Timecode 4:13: What happens when particles collide at near-light speed?

Timecode 4:49: What can scientists learn about a particle from studying its trail?

Timecode 6:25: What is the Standard Model and how this method lead to the discovery of quarks and gluons?

After the Movie

How has society benefited from studying particles?

Why might it be exciting to study particles?

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.