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ETS Walton is Ireland’s only Nobel Prize winner in the sciences - Leaving Cert Physics - Question f - 2008
Question f
ETS Walton is Ireland’s only Nobel Prize winner in the sciences. Give two reasons why the Cockcroft and Walton experiment was significant to the understanding of par... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:ETS Walton is Ireland’s only Nobel Prize winner in the sciences - Leaving Cert Physics - Question f - 2008
Step 1
Give two reasons why the Cockcroft and Walton experiment was significant to the understanding of particle physics.
Answer
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First Experimental Verification of E = mc²: The Cockcroft and Walton experiment provided the first experimental confirmation of the equivalence of mass and energy, as expressed in Einstein's equation, E = mc². This groundbreaking discovery emphasized the transformation of mass into energy during the nuclear reactions observed in the experiment.
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Development of Linear Accelerators: The experiment marked a significant advancement in the development of linear accelerators. This technology allowed for the acceleration of charged particles to high energies, which played a crucial role in accelerating particles for experiments in nuclear physics and deepened our understanding of particle interactions.
Step 2
Describe how a galvanometer may be converted into a voltmeter.
Answer
To convert a galvanometer into a voltmeter, you can follow these steps:
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Connect a Large Resistor/Multiplier in Series: Introduce a large resistor (also known as a multiplier) into the circuit in series with the galvanometer. This resistor allows the galvanometer to measure larger voltages without exceeding its maximum range.
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Adjust the Circuit for Calibration: Ensure that the circuit is calibrated appropriately to convert the readings from the galvanometer to indicate voltage accurately. The total voltage across the galvanometer and resistor should now reflect the input voltage to the voltmeter.