Wire chambers are devices used in particle physics to detect charged particles. They consist of a chamber filled with gas and a series of fine wires running parallel to each other. When a charged particle passes through the chamber, it ionizes the gas, creating free electrons. These electrons are attracted to the wires, leading to an electrical signal that can be measured. The signals produced by wire chambers help scientists understand the properties of particles, such as their energy and momentum. They are often used in experiments at particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider and play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of fundamental physics.