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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.
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.
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[I know! Part of me wanted to be a physicist so I could work at FermiLab. And the recent budget cuts at FermiLab and in science education in general just make me SO SAD.]
YES. PHYSICS!