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Victor Hayes's discovery: How he unveiled the mystery of cosmic rays.
In 1912, physicist Victor Hayes accidentally revealed the existence of cosmic rays during a series of balloon experiments. This discovery not only changed our understanding of the natural world, but also won Hayes the 1936 Nobel Prize in Physics. Today, we'll take a closer look at how Hayes advanced our understanding of cosmic rays during that time, how these high-energy particles affect our lives, and our understanding of where they come from.
Characteristics of cosmic rays
Cosmic rays come primarily in the form of protons or atomic nuclei, particles that travel through space at nearly the speed of light. They could have multiple origins, including the Sun, objects outside our own Milky Way, or even distant galaxies. When they hit the Earth's atmosphere, they create a rain of secondary particles, some of which reach the surface.
"The discovery of cosmic rays challenged the basic understanding of radiation at the time and promoted the development of particle physics."
Hayes's Balloon Experiment
Hayes's experimental design was quite simple yet highly innovative. He carried three high-precision Val electric meters and ascended to an altitude of 5,300 meters in a hot air balloon. During this flight, Hayes noticed that radiation levels at high altitudes were twice as high as those on the ground; he ruled out the influence of solar radiation because he chose to make his measurements during a near-total eclipse. This striking observation led him to conclude that the high-energy radiation appeared to be coming from an external source above the Earth's atmosphere.
Formation of secondary cosmic rays
When cosmic rays enter the Earth's atmosphere, they collide violently with atoms in the air, triggering a series of reactions and producing a large number of secondary particles. According to the research of Hayes and his successors, about 40% to 80% of these secondary particles are neutrons, and their proportion increases with decreasing altitude, which has important implications for our understanding of radiation in the air.
Impact on ancient and modern physics
Hayes's discovery not only shaped the direction of 20th century physics, but also led researchers to explore more deeply the mysteries of the universe itself. Subsequent experiments have shown that many cosmic rays originate from supernova explosions, and the latest observational data show that active galactic nuclei and other cosmic phenomena are also potential sources of cosmic rays.
The sources and effects of cosmic rays
To date, scientists have identified multiple sources of cosmic rays, including supernovae and active galactic nuclei. These high-energy particles not only help us understand the formation and evolution of the universe, but also have a significant impact on electronic equipment and the environment on Earth. As technology advances, research in this field will continue to deepen and reveal more unsolved mysteries.
"The existence of cosmic rays challenges our fundamental understanding of physics and the universe, and makes scientists rethink the nature of elementary particles."
Future Research Directions
Future cosmic ray research will focus on understanding the energy distribution of different sources and how these high-energy particles are able to travel through the vastness of the universe in the absence of a magnetic field. Therefore, Victor Hayes's statement will continue to inspire future generations of scientists to explore the unknown world.
As we delve deeper into cosmic ray research, we can't help but ask: What unsolved mysteries do these mysterious particles still hide?
