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Einblick in die Ausstellung Atomphysik. Ausschnitt eines Menschen mit Organen zum Thema radioaktive Strahlung.

Photo: Deutsches Museum | Hubert Czech

Natural Sciences

Atomic Physics – Everything you need to know about the atom

What is radiation? Do atoms really exist? What is quantum physics? Explore the structure, appearance and properties of atoms with the help of numerous experiments and original exhibits.

Welcome to the world of the smallest particles! With quantum mechanics as its theoretical framework, atomic physics has had a decisive influence on the 20th century and it forms the basis of many technical developments that are part of our world today. This exhibition reveals how physicists have come to understand the structure of atoms and the resulting opportunities and risks. Exhibits such as the Geissler tube, the Curie apparatus, the first German cyclotron and a model depicting the Schrödinger’s cat experiment provide answers to questions such as what is radiation? Do atoms really exist? What is the structure of an atom? What is quantum physics? What is nuclear radiation? What is high-energy physics? And what is the structure of the nucleus? A “nuclear body” at the centre of the exhibition serves as an experimental area, with hands-on exhibits that help visitors to find their own answers to elementary questions about atomic, nuclear and particle physics.

Programme in this exhibition

When will this event take place?

Discover which activities are taking place by checking our daily programme, which is published at around 9.20 each day. Our programme changes daily and includes guided tours, demonstrations, science shows and hands-on activities for individual visitors and small groups of up to five people. All programme events are held in German. They begin either directly where the activity is set to take place or at a guided-tour meeting point in the relevant exhibition.

Facts and Figures

  • Location: Level 1
  • Exhibition space: approx. 270 m2
  • Exhibits and models: 67
  • Media stations: 9
  • Demonstrations: 16
  • Dioramas: 3

From the collection

Fotomultiplier 20" PMT vom Neutrino-Teleskop Kamiokande

From: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

Date: 2002

Geißlerröhre

From: unbekannt; Geißler, Heinrich

Date: um 1900

Neutrino-Detektor-Kugel aus dem Antares-Experiment mit Fotomultiplier

From: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

Date: 2006

You have specialist questions for our curator?

Teambild Atomphysik

Scientific team (l.t.r.): Dr. Christian Sicka, Dr. Neslihan Becerici-Schmidt. Photo: Deutsches Museum | 2022 | Sabine Rinberger

Team Atomic Physics

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