First day of March and here I am again, continuing my research for my Senior Exit Project on the Large Hadron Collider. At this point, I have too many directions I feel I can go in. I’m not sure which question or issue surrounding the machine that I should address. The scientific outcomes vs cost/consequences seems to be the most prevalent and encumbering idea I can come up with that would deal with the majority of my research thus far. Any other ideas?
I’m really hoping this does not completely confuse nor befuddle any readers. The Higgs Boson (also called the “god particle”) is a hypothetical particle that is said to exist according to the standard model used in particle physics. The Standard Model of particle physics is the study of three of of the four known forces and the particle that is affected by those forces. The four forces are electromagnetism, strong interaction, weak interaction, and the unknown force which is gravitational interaction. So, those are the forces which make up the Standard Model, now to the elementary particles which use those interactions. The big question surrounding these fundamental particles, is what causes them to have mass. The theory of the Higgs mechanism attempts to answer that question, but it adds another particle, named the Higgs Boson. The Higgs Boson is supposed to explain the origin of mass in the universe.
This cartoon explains both the Higgs mechanism and illustrates the Higgs Boson particle.
For a better view of the cartoon, click PPARC Science. The cartoon was created by CERN.
[Source: SLAC and Origins: CERN]
You might also address the history of the project. Who decided that this was how they needed to spend their time? When did they make that decision and what inspired it?
Your knowledge of the Higgs Boson and other things impresses me dude.