More Science Geeking!

[ultranos]

The LHC at CERN officially turns on in T minus 5 hours.

This is one of the most exciting things to possibly happen to physics in decades. Scientists are hoping to answer questions about how the universe began, since the effect of the two particles colliding will produce energy levels theoretically not seen since the Big Bang.

Physicists are also hoping that the LHC will produce the Higgs boson, a currently-theoretical particle that, if observed, will confirm predictions and missing links in the Standard Model of Physics (such as how particles acquire mass). This is an important step towards a Grand Unification Theory (a theory unifying 3 of the 4 known fundamental forces in the universe), which is currently the Holy Grail of physics.

For more information on the LHC, check the UK page.

Comments

[ultranos-fic.livejournal.com]

So, I'm not a theoretical physicist, so my understanding is limited.

From what I do understand, they're trying to recreate energy levels from just after the Big Bang happened, because, like you said, physics does break down at the Big Bang. So, I think, what they're trying to do is recreate something similar so they can actually make observations to see if their theoretical models work. Just like how classical physics and mechanics can be proven by throwing a ball in the air or compressing a spring.

Or, to prove Newton's Third Law, throw two balls at each other and see what happens when they collide. Since what we're looking for is now much more complex than that, the tools we need are much more sophisticated. Hence why CERN built the largest particle accelerator in the world.

[shanghairain.livejournal.com]

Totally more exciting if it breaks all of our physics.

[ultranos-fic.livejournal.com]

Well, yes. Because then the two of us can laugh at the theoretical physicists. :D