Experiments to do with the QuarkNet Cosmic Ray Detector Kit

These pages provide instructions on how to run experiments with the QuarkNet Cosmic Ray Detector kit. For help help on getting or setting up a CRD kit, please click the Cosmic Ray Detector Link below. You will also need the RUCosmic software. For instructions on how to download, set up and use this software, please click the RUCosmic link below.

The Preliminaries

• Cosmic Ray Detector Kit
• RUCosmic

The Experiments

• Plateauing the detectors
  This one is essential. It allows you to set the proper operating voltage on the photomultiplier tubes to have high efficiency without excessive noise. You should do this before attempting any of the other experiments.


• Coincidence rates
  Check that all four detectors are operating efficiently and determine the flux of cosmic ray muons.


• Multiple cosmic ray hits
  Determine how often two cosmic ray muons hit in coincidence.


• Solid angle
  Learn about the concept of solid angle acceptance.


• Angular dependence
  Determine the zenith angle dependence of cosmic rays.


• Horizontal spacing
  Get an estimate of the width of cosmic ray showers by measuring the rate of multiple cosmic ray hits as a function of the horizontal spacing of detectors.


• Absorption
  Determine the amount of material needed to absorb a measurable fraction of cosmic ray muons.


• Muon lifetime
  Measure the muon lifetime.


• Muon speed
  Measure the speed of incoming cosmic ray muons.