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ATLAS Cheat Sheets

Discover the ATLAS Cheat Sheets

Explore educational physics "cheat sheets" developed by researchers at the ATLAS Collaboration, ideal to help with all those physics terms you want to know more about. With these sheets, you'll explore concepts from the Standard Model to conservation laws.

4-Vectors and Particle Mass

4-Vectors and Particle Mass

Time and space ­coordinates vary depending on the frame of reference in which a collision event is measured. 4-­vectors are tools that can simplify the transformations between frames of reference.

Keywords: mass
Download in English, German, Czech
ATLAS Coordinate System

ATLAS Coordinate System

The ATLAS coordinate system allows scientists to accurately and consistently describe how particles travel through the detector.

Keywords: pseudorapidity
Download in English, Czech
Conservation Laws

Conservation Laws

These laws govern the reactions we observe in particle physics! Their violation would be a sign of new physics.

Keywords: standard model
Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Czech
Cross Section and Luminosity

Cross Section and Luminosity

This sheet defines cross section and luminosity, presents examples of LHC cross sections, and introduces the method used to determine number of events.

Keywords: cross section, luminosity
Download in English, German, Italian, Dutch, French, Czech
Feynman Diagrams

Feynman Diagrams

A powerful tool to visually represent particle interactions, as well as to conduct elaborate calculations! Learn the basics on how to read Feynman diagrams.

Keywords: higgs boson, LHC
Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Czech
Galilean and Lorentz Transformations

Galilean and Lorentz Transformations

Because particles in LHC collisions travel at relativistic speeds, physicists use Lorentz transformations to describe their
trajectories and to analyse decays by transforming between the laboratory frame (ATLAS Detector) and the
particle's rest frame.

Keywords: Lorentz Contraction
Download in English
Galilean and Lorentz Transformations

Galilean and Lorentz Transformations

Because particles in LHC collisions travel at relativistic speeds, physicists use Lorentz transformations to describe their
trajectories and to analyse decays by transforming between the laboratory frame (ATLAS Detector) and the
particle's rest frame.

Keywords: Lorentz Contraction
Download in English
Inside a Collision

Inside a Collision

Proton collisions at the LHC generate high-energy events, initiating a cascade of processes, such as parton showering and hadronisation, which ultimately produce the particles seen in the ATLAS detector.

Keywords: event
Download in English, Czech
Monte Carlo Simulation

Monte Carlo Simulation

Monte Carlo (MC) methods help ATLAS physicists simulate data by generating theoretical collisions based on both known and theorised physics. We use the simulated data to help us understand the detector’s behaviour, optimise algorithms, and identify new physics.

Keywords: model, event, signal, background
Download in English, German, Czech
Natural Units

Natural Units

Our universe is governed by a handful of fundamental constants, such as the speed of light or the gravitational constant. In particle physics, it is often convenient to use natural units, in which key constants are set to unity, revealing the underlying simplicity of physical laws.

Keywords: Natural Units
Download in English
Particle Decay, Lifetime & Width

Particle Decay, Lifetime & Width

The lifetime (or equivalently, the width) and the different ways elementary particles can decay are fundamental properties crucial for physicists exploring the boundaries of known physics.

Keywords: particle lifetime
Download in English, Czech
Pile-Up

Pile-Up

The LHC collides bunches (groups of protons), which can result in multiple proton-proton collisions at each crossing. Such additional collisions are called pile-up.

Keywords: background, event
Download in English, Czech
Signal and Background

Signal and Background

This sheet defines signal and background and presents some common strategies for increasing the signal-to-background ratio.

Keywords: signal, background, standard model, photon, lepton
Download in English, German, Italian, Dutch, French, Czech
Spin and Polarisation

Spin and Polarisation

Spin is a fundamental property of particles, corresponding to their intrinsic angular momentum. Polarisation describes how the spin of a particle is oriented.

Keywords: spin
Download in English
Statistical Significance

Statistical Significance

When physicists make statements about whether or not a given process has been observed in the LHC data, they must back up their claim with strong statistical evidence. This is often expressed in terms of standard deviations or the p-value.

Keywords: standard deviation, p-value, signal, background
Download in English, Italian, German, Dutch, French, Czech
Standard Model

The Standard Model

All fundamental particles classified based on their properties! Deviations to the Standard Model can point the way to new physics.

Keywords: dark matter, standard model, higgs boson, fermion
Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, Czech

Credits and Terms of Use

ATLAS Experiment cheat sheets are free to download for personal and educational use. Content Copyright: ATLAS Experiment © CERN

  • Text and project development: Elise Le Boulicaut, Valerie Buxbaum, Dave Van Wijk, Jammel Brooks, Mira Varma and Abdelhamid Haddad on behalf of the ATLAS Collaboration
  • Translations: Elise Le Boulicaut (French), Daniel Trujillo (French, Spanish), Rebeca Gonzalez Suarez (Spanish), Lukas Kretschmann (German), Giada Mancini and Giuseppe Carratta (Italian), Dave Van Wijk (Dutch), Fani Henry (French), Ruben Schoeman (Dutch), Pavla Federicova (Czech)
  • Background image: Ana María Rodríguez Vera on behalf of the ATLAS Collaboration

ATLAS Colouring Books

About the books

Enjoy free-to-download colouring books by the ATLAS Collaboration, ideal for kids (and adults) of all ages! In these books, you'll discover how experiments detect particles, what their properties are, and how scientists are working together to learn more about our Universe.

ATLAS Colouring Book

ATLAS Experiment
Colouring Book

Available in 16 languages, the ATLAS Experiment colouring book introduces kids to the field of High-Energy Physics and the work being carried out by the ATLAS Collaboration.

Learning objectives:

  • ATLAS scientists work together to study particles, the basic building blocks of our universe.

  • ATLAS scientists use a detector to find and identify particles.

  • The ATLAS Collaboration is diverse. Anyone can be an ATLAS scientist.

  • The Standard Model and the Higgs Boson.

ATLAS Colouring Book

Particles of the Universe
Colouring Book

Everything around us is made up of tiny, elementary particles. In this colouring book, kids can meet all of the particles that scientists have discovered (so far!) and learn about the role they play in our Universe.

Learning objectives:

  • Matter is made of tiny elemental particles.

  • Particles are the building blocks of all matter and are responsible for forces.

  • Scientists use experiments to find and study particles.

  • There are different types of particles with different functions.

Downloads

Individual Page Examples

Credits and Terms of Use

The ATLAS Experiment Colouring book is free to download for personal and educational use. Content Copyright: ATLAS Experiment © 2021 CERN

Credits for the Particles of the Universe Colouring Book:

  • Particle Illustrations by Carolina De Luca
  • Additional Illustrations by Mariana Velho
  • Text and Project Development by Katarina Anthony and Mariana Velho for the ATLAS Collaboration

Credits for the ATLAS Experiment Colouring Book:

  • Illustrations by CERNland.net, Carolina De Luca and Rebecca Pitt
  • Text by Katarina Anthony for the ATLAS Collaboration
  • Project development by Veronica Ruberti and Katarina Anthony
  • Pages 4-5; Characters of Bob and Betty: Designed by ovnii.it for CERNland.net
  • Pages 9-11: Designed by Carolina De Luca, carolinadeluca.com
  • Page 12: Designed by Rebecca Pitt, based on earlier work by Joao Pequenao for the exhibit www.the-higgs-boson-and-beyond.org

ATLAS Colouring Books & Activities

The Colouring Books

Enjoy free-to-download colouring books by the ATLAS Collaboration, ideal for kids (and adults) of all ages! In these books, you'll discover how experiments detect particles, what their properties are, and how scientists are working together to learn more about our Universe.

ATLAS Colouring Book - Upgrade Edition

Upgrade Edition

The Upgrade Edition of the ATLAS Experiment Colouring Book introduces kids to High-Energy Physics through the adventures of student Watty Whiskers and Professor Ducksworth. Kids will discover what it is like to be part of a global scientific team, working together to understand the fundamental building blocks of the Universe and upgrade the world’s largest particle detector for High-Luminosity LHC.

What kids will learn:

  • ATLAS is one of the world's largest scientific collaborations, bringing together thousands of people from around the globe.

  • The Universe is made of fundamental particles being studied and discovered by ATLAS scientists.

  • ATLAS scientists use an experiment to find and identify particles. They are upgrading the experiment with new detector technologies.

  • ATLAS is a generational experiment: the Higgs boson was discovered in 2012, and today new scientists are using the experiment to search for the next discoveries.

  • There are many ways to be an ATLAS scientist: from building detectors and studying particles to teaching students and working in the control room.

  • Scientists are made through learning, curiosity and teamwork. Anyone can become an ATLAS scientist.

Downloads

ATLAS Colouring Book

Particles of the Universe

Everything around us is made up of tiny, elementary particles. In this colouring book, kids can meet all of the particles that scientists have discovered (so far!) and learn about the role they play in our Universe.

Learning objectives:

  • Matter is made of tiny elemental particles.

  • Particles are the building blocks of all matter and are responsible for forces.

  • Scientists use experiments to find and study particles.

  • There are different types of particles with different functions.

Downloads

ATLAS Colouring Book

Original Edition

Available in 20+ languages, the original ATLAS Experiment colouring book introduces kids to the field of High-Energy Physics and the work being carried out by the ATLAS Collaboration.

Learning objectives:

  • ATLAS scientists work together to study particles, the basic building blocks of our universe.

  • ATLAS scientists use a detector to find and identify particles.

  • The ATLAS Collaboration is diverse. Anyone can be an ATLAS scientist.

  • The Standard Model and the Higgs Boson.

Downloads

Guide for Parents and Teachers

Parents Teachers Guide

This guide will help parents and teachers discuss the subjects addressed in the ATLAS Colouring Books. It isn’t an encyclopaedia of all of particle physics; instead, it provides a general overview of both the science and the research for non-experts. The guide will enhance your understanding of the field so you can feel more comfortable in sharing your knowledge with kids. It will also provide you with a list of resources in case you want to learn more about some topics.

Questions addressed:

  • What is particle physics?
  • How does the Large Hadron Collider work?
  • What is the Standard Model of Particle Physics?
  • What are particle generations and colour charge?
  • What about antiparticles and cosmic rays?
  • Have physicists discovered everything?
  • How can you work at ATLAS?

Activity Sheets

ATLAS Activity Sheets build upon concepts introduced in the ATLAS colouring books, allowing kids to cement their new understanding of particle physics and explore all-new topics. For ease of printing, these sheets are available in colour and black & white.

Antiparticles

Particles vs. Antiparticles

Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese
Maze

Follow particle decays through a maze

Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese
Label the Detector

Label the Detector

Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese
Make your own Standard Model

Make your own Standard Model

Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese
Spot the Differences

Spot the Differences

Download in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese
ATLAS Word Search

Word Search

Download in English, French

Credit and Terms of Use

The ATLAS Experiment Colouring book is free to download for personal and educational use. Content Copyright: ATLAS Experiment © 2022 CERN

Credits for the ATLAS Experiment Colouring Book (upgrade edition):

  • Illustrations by Kelly Stanford
  • Additional illustrations by Carolina Deluca (particles), and Rebecca Pitt & Katarina Anthony (ATLAS detector)
  • Text by Katarina Anthony for the ATLAS Collaboration
  • Project development by Elise Le Boulicaut Ennis & Katarina Anthony for the ATLAS Collaboration

Credits for the Particles of the Universe Colouring Book:

  • Particle illustrations by Carolina De Luca
  • Additional illustrations by Mariana Velho
  • Text and Project development by Katarina Anthony and Mariana Velho for the ATLAS Collaboration

Credits for the ATLAS Experiment Colouring Book (original edition):

  • Illustrations by CERNland.net, Carolina De Luca and Rebecca Pitt
  • Text by Katarina Anthony for the ATLAS Collaboration
  • Project development by Veronica Ruberti and Katarina Anthony
  • Pages 4-5; Characters of Bob and Betty: Designed by ovnii.it for CERNland.net
  • Pages 9-11: Designed by Carolina De Luca, carolinadeluca.com
  • Page 12: Designed by Rebecca Pitt, based on earlier work by Joao Pequenao for The Royal Society exhibit "The Higgs boson and beyond."

Credits for the Guide for Parents and Teachers:

  • Text and Project Development by Mariana Velho for the ATLAS Collaboration
  • Particle illustrations by Carolina De Luca
  • Photos courtesy of CERN

Credits for the Activity Sheets:

  • Project development & additional illustrations by Mariana Velho for the ATLAS Collaboration
  • Particle illustrations by Carolina De Luca
  • Additional Content Creation by Elise Le Boulicaut Ennis

Virtual Visits from South America

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ATLAS Virtual Visit from Beijing
Physics students at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China asking questions to Ning Zhou and Marc Cano of ATLAS. (Image: CERN)

Visit Online

ATLAS Virtual Visits

A Virtual Visit is a live video connection by a group (typically a classroom) to the ATLAS Experiment at CERN. A guide, who is a scientist or an engineer working on the experiment, meets visitors from the control room or (during planned LHC shutdowns) from the detector underground.

During a Virtual Visit, guides will

  • Introduce themselves and describe their work in particle physics.
  • Present CERN, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and the ATLAS experiment, including its goals and accomplishments.
  • Invite questions from the audience.

We recommend audiences prepare questions ahead of time. This can be facilitated by viewing this introductory video.

Group Virtual Visits

Groups of at least 10 visitors (such as classrooms) can schedule their own visit by completing this form.

Schedule a Group Virtual Visit

Upcoming Virtual Visits

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Open Virtual Visits

We also schedule periodic open visits that can be joined by individuals or small groups. You can find them in the list on this page. Select the Open Virtual Visit of the date/time/language that best fits, click on it and register.

Register for an Upcoming Open Visit

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