Higgs Boson
Last night Newsnight reported on whether the Edinburgh physicist Peter Higgs's 44-year-old theories could be proved right when scientists switch on their large hadron collider (LHC).
Higgs developed a theory about galactic treacle and something called a Boson (nicknamed the God Particle).
Our report which you can has proved to be one of the most popular videos watched across ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ websites today.
When European scientists switch on the LHC this week, their discoveries could tell us what happened after the Big Bang, the event which they believe was the start of our universe.
But here's a challenge. Could you describe what the Higgs Boson is in just 40 words?
Comment number 1.
At 9th Sep 2008, barriesingleton wrote:JUST 40 WORDS
The Higgs Boson is what William of Ockham was wont to strop his razor on.
William of Ockham sported a full beard. He had an imaginary friend called 'Q' with whom he would take long warks discussing high energy physics.
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Sep 2008, bookhimdano wrote:a way to get a lot of money for something no one can explain?
if it makes sense you could articulate it simply. like e =mc2.
the clue to this fraud is the use of the word god particle. given the usual definition of the divine is that which is greater than any idea you can have about it to reduce that to a 'particle' is the usual materialist trashy thinking of those who adopt the nihilist philosophy. How can such misguided thinking that leads to false name calling lead anywhere but into a labyrinth.
the emperor has no clothes.
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Comment number 3.
At 10th Sep 2008, NickThornsby wrote:It is something that deeply confuses me, reminds me why I didn’t like physics, why I am studying Ancient History rather than particle physics, and makes me feel my brain is completely inadequate whenever I hear about it on TV.
There you go, exactly 40 words.
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Sep 2008, particlepaul wrote:The Higgs is a particle, one we've never seen
If we find it Higgs is a clever old bean
It means that the Higgs field is actually there
And that explains why things have mass; that's why we care.
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Comment number 5.
At 10th Sep 2008, WildSurmise wrote:Higgs Boson:
It's not a bosom.
It's not a bison.
But Higgs will know it when he sees it.
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Comment number 6.
At 10th Sep 2008, CobblyWorlds wrote:In the Standard Model of particle physics there's a pattern in the behaviours and natures of the particles. But there's a hole in that pattern. The Higgs Boson (which has mass but has not yet been observed) fits that hole.
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Comment number 7.
At 10th Sep 2008, crickedneck wrote:Something whizzes round and collides with something else that is whizzing round and they create a big bang, still being heard around the universe.
Either believe or have another drink and then believe
How's that?
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Comment number 8.
At 10th Sep 2008, Dave Sidcup wrote:"Could you describe what the Higgs Boson is in just 40 words?"
No.
The word "boson" is used to describe objects whose spin is 0, 1, 2... times Planck's constant. The word "fermion" is used to describe objects whose spin is 1/2, 3/2, 5/2... times Planck's constant. (Planck's constant is just a unit of angular momentum).
The Higgs Particle (which happens to be a boson, hence 'Higgs Boson') is a particle in the same sense that a photon is a particle.
Both the photon and the higgs boson are particles that represent disturbances in a background field. In the higgs case, the Higgs boson represents a *unit* disturbance in the "Higgs field"; the photon represents a *unit* disturbance in the electromagnetic field.
The electromagnetic field gives rise to electromagnetic energies and potentials of particular types of particles with the property "charge". Vaguely similarly, the higgs field is responsible for giving mass energy to particular types of particles with the property "mass".
The photon and Higgs particle are called "particles" because they represent an indivisible unit of energy, (a unit of energy which is used to 'energise' a unit disturbance in their respective fields). They are called particles because they are indivisible, countable, etc; these are properties shared by more conventional 'particles' electrons, neutrinos, etc... A better name for both photons and Higgs bosons is probably "quanta", but the name 'particle' has stuck because is easier for anyone who actually cares. Understand that the photon, for example, doesn't "create" a unit disturbance in the electromagnetic field, it *is* a unit disturbance in the electromagnetic field.
Er... I think.
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Comment number 9.
At 10th Sep 2008, mahcdf wrote:The Higgs field is postulated to exist throughout space. One familar field is the electromagnetic field that carries radio waves. This field has its own quantum particle, the photon. The Higgs boson is the analogous quantum of the Higgs field.
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Comment number 10.
At 10th Sep 2008, RicardianLesley wrote:It would appear that scientific truth may lie at the bottom of a galactic treacle well. I presume the net result of all those billions spent will be the discovery that the answer is that there are forty-two Higgs Boson particles in life, the universe, and all that.
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Comment number 11.
At 10th Sep 2008, widewheel wrote:This research seems ground breaking and pointless at the same time.
I heard the argument that without the discovery of the electron none of modern electronics would work. That seems to say that without knowing what makes up the constituent of fire we are unable to use it.But we have harnessed the power of fire for Milena before discovering its constituent. These discovered particles which make up matter? Can they collect any of them? Can they use them to change any representation of matter? Can they harness any part of the proton to produce energy or a beam of something that can be controlled and directed?
I saw Prof. Wolf try to describe what the experiment was by smashing two mince pies together. He did this and then showed the result would be a mess of crumbs, mincemeat, sultanas, etc. OK fine! But to put this to the actual experiment the resultant mess is only there for a billionth of a second. The parts seen in this instant cannot be collected and stored. We have no way of re-assembling the proton. Do we know how any of the particles interact with each other when formed in a proton?
This seems like investing a huge effort in calculating the number of atoms in the sun to tolerance of 10. Quite staggering science, but of no real use!?
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Comment number 12.
At 11th Sep 2008, TimGreenshaw wrote:We think the Higgs field fills all space and "clumps" round particles like electrons, making it difficult to move them, or giving them mass. The field also forms spontaneous clumps, Higgs bosons. If these aren't found, our thinking is wrong!
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