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Ghost Particle, The
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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Ask students if they can think of some things they cannot
directly see but they know exist. Have them provide examples and
reasoning for how they know these things exist.
(Some examples and evidence of their existence include:
[bacteria and viruses—illnesses], [energy—heat
from the sun], [magnetism—effect on a compass], and
[gravity—objects falling towards Earth].)
How do scientists observe and measure things that cannot be seen
with the naked eye?
(They use instruments such as microscopes and telescopes, and
they look at how unseen things affect other objects.)
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Review the structure of an atom, including protons, neutrons,
and electrons. Ask students what they know about subatomic
particles, i.e., any of the various units of matter below the
size of an atom. To help students better understand the size of
some subatomic particles, develop an analogy with the class
using the Atomic Scale found in the
Background section.
After Watching
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Review with students the laws of conservation of mass and
energy.
(Matter can be converted from one form to another but neither
created nor destroyed.) Ask why this law is important.
(Pauli predicted the neutrino existed because energy is
conserved in reactions. Other scientists were able to predict
the number of neutrinos they should be able to detect, because
they know energy is conserved in reactions in the sun.)
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Some of the scientists in the program exhibit character traits
that help them be successful in their work. How did patience,
open-mindedness, and perseverance contribute to the discoveries
and the scientists' success in this program?
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