Happy Accidents #073 - From Clouds to Particles

Welcome to the Happy Accidents Newsletter, where we celebrate the unplanned yet transformative discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of the world.

This edition examines the story of CTR Wilson, whose quest to understand cloud formation serendipitously led to a breakthrough in particle physics with the invention of the cloud chamber.

Let's dig in, shall we?

SETTING THE STAGE

This is the part of every Happy Accident story where we see every successful outcome starts with the person putting themselves in a favorable position. They work hard, they try new things, they meet new people. They're not just sitting around 'hoping' to be successful some day.

Charles Thomson Rees (CTR) Wilson was born in 1869 in the Scottish Borders. His early fascination with the natural sciences took him to Cambridge University, where he transitioned from studying biology to physics.

Wilson’s interest in atmospheric phenomena was particularly sparked by his observations at the Ben Nevis Observatory.

There, he marveled at the optical effects of sunlight on clouds and mists, which inspired him to replicate these phenomena in a laboratory setting.

His curiosity would soon lead to an incredible unintentional discovery…

THE HAPPY ACCIDENT

This is the part of every success story where there's a chance encounter, a serendipitous moment, an unintentional discovery (or Happy Accident) that paves the way for the next steps. In some cases, a Happy Accident can even be disguised as something bad in the moment.

In the early 1890s, Wilson created his first cloud chamber to study cloud physics. By rapidly expanding moist air in a sealed environment, he could induce adiabatic cooling and form clouds.

While his initial focus was on understanding cloud formation, a serendipitous observation changed his course. When Wilson introduced ionizing radiation into the chamber, he noticed something very interesting…

Distinct linear tracks formed within the clouds.

These tracks were created by charged particles ionizing the air, making their previously invisible paths visible through condensation.

What was once unseen, was now observable. A remarkable accidental discovery!

CAPITALIZING

Just like Happy Accidents don't just fall into your lap (you need to set the stage first), they also don't turn into anything if you don't recognize them and take action. This is the part of every success story where we see people capitalizing on their Happy Accident.

Realizing the potential of his cloud chamber beyond meteorology, Wilson refined his design to improve the visibility of particle tracks.

His enhanced cloud chamber provided a new method to observe and study the behavior of subatomic particles directly.

This innovation quickly caught the attention of the scientific community, becoming a crucial tool in experimental physics.

It allowed researchers to visualize and photograph particle trajectories, leading to numerous discoveries and advancing the understanding of particle interactions.

Would we know nearly as much today about particle theory and how subatomic particles behave had it not been for Wilson’s accidental discovery?

I guess we’ll never know…

TOO LONG; DIDN’T READ (TL;DR)

CTR Wilson’s cloud chamber, born from a desire to study atmospheric phenomena, unintentionally revolutionized particle physics by providing a method to visualize subatomic particles.

His accidental discovery underscored the importance of serendipity in science and laid the foundation for many key discoveries in the 20th century.

Special thanks to Mohammad Khan who brought this story to my attention

AND ANOTHER THING…

Check out this video where physicist Brian Greene explains the double split experiment in quantum physics 👇

@contrarycurrents

The double slit experiment #universe #space #bigbang #blackhole #quantumphysics #gravity #einstein #milkyway #solarsystem

Some fun facts:

• Wilson received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927 for his groundbreaking method of making charged particle paths visible.

• Wilson’s initial interest in clouds stemmed from their aesthetic beauty, blending his artistic appreciation with scientific inquiry.

• Although later replaced by more advanced technologies, the cloud chamber laid the groundwork for subsequent particle detection methods like the bubble and spark chambers.

The lessons here:

1. Embrace Serendipity: Unplanned observations can lead to significant breakthroughs. Wilson’s unexpected discovery of particle tracks exemplifies the power of keeping an open mind.

2. Cross-Disciplinary Inspiration: Wilson’s background in both biology and physics, coupled with his artistic eye, underscores the value of interdisciplinary thinking in scientific innovation.

3. Adapt and Pivot: Being willing to shift focus when new opportunities arise can lead to groundbreaking advancements, as Wilson’s transition from meteorology to particle physics demonstrates.

Happy Accidents Podcast

Ever meet someone who's seemingly led a charmed life? The truth is, they've probably just learned how to put themselves into more favourable positions.

One of those people is John Knotts. And he's the guest on the latest episode of Happy Accidents podcast.

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