MC Prussian Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 Apparently, scientists at CERN in Geneva have discovered the "God Particle" they've been searching for ages. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2012/jul/04/higgs-boson-discovered-live-coverage-cern Breakthrough in physics?
Greg2607 Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 I'm not sure whether it is classed as a breakthrough or a vindication of the current thinking in that field. I think it's great that it's been verified that it exists although I don't neccessarily see, for what it has cost, how it drives science forward. But then, at the same time, I'm not a particle physicist so my understand of all of the this is "layman" to say the least. Although I do watch "the big bang theory".
glenny_fox Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 I'm not sure whether it is classed as a breakthrough or a vindication of the current thinking in that field. I think it's great that it's been verified that it exists although I don't neccessarily see, for what it has cost, how it drives science forward. But then, at the same time, I'm not a particle physicist so my understand of all of the this is "layman" to say the least. Although I do watch "the big bang theory". As Sheldon would say ... Bazinga
leicsmac Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 At the moment all we have discovered is that this new particle exists. Now begins the more difficult part - figuring whether it fits into the Standard Model of Physics, and if so, if it does in the way we predicted it to. To be honest after looking at particle physics in depth in university I feel that the Standard Model is flawed and incomplete in a few different ways...and hopefully the discovery of the Higgs will give us a new direction to pursue. There's still far too many things out there with mass that we can't fit into the Standard Model (such as dark matter/energy).
Greg2607 Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 At the moment all we have discovered is that this new particle exists. Now begins the more difficult part - figuring whether it fits into the Standard Model of Physics, and if so, if it does in the way we predicted it to. To be honest after looking at particle physics in depth in university I feel that the Standard Model is flawed and incomplete in a few different ways...and hopefully the discovery of the Higgs will give us a new direction to pursue. There's still far too many things out there with mass that we can't fit into the Standard Model (such as dark matter/energy). We all know that is down to Darth Vader though.
purpleronnie Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 Sheldon is a legend. In fact its on right now. Tried to get into the big bang theory, it just seems like its the same 'joke' over and over and over again.
HEGGSY Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 Tried to get into the big bang theory, it just seems like its the same 'joke' over and over and over again. I suppose you have to watch it from the start to properly get into it. I love it.
General Smuts Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 If you're having Physics problems I feel bad for you son. I've got 99 problems but Higgs Boson ain't one.
Darkon84 Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 So, one of the most incredible scientific breakthroughs occurs, and all people can say is 'Bazinga'.....Wow!
MooseBreath Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 Foxestalk isn't very good at discussing good news. Basically the thinking is, if a story doesn't contain something I can blame all my problems on, then i don't care. Slightly surprised there has only been one mention of the cost tbh.
Jordan Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 Apparently, scientists at CERN in Geneva have discovered the "God Particle" they've been searching for ages. http://www.guardian....e-coverage-cern Breakthrough in physics? Another win for Switzerland, Alex
Guest MattP Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 I have no idea how to start with this, does it mean we are any closer to proving religion and creation is nonsense?
Father Ted Posted 4 July 2012 Posted 4 July 2012 It's fantastic that it's been discovered but there is still a VERY LONG way to go. But it's a cracking start!
leicsmac Posted 5 July 2012 Posted 5 July 2012 I have no idea how to start with this, does it mean we are any closer to proving religion and creation is nonsense? Not really, because even if you do produce clear, concise and incontrovertible evidence against those two things there still will be people who disregard it and go by faith instead. Curious the way the human mind works, isn't it? If anyone is interested I'd write a report on this for the layman for everyone to read...
ozleicester Posted 5 July 2012 Posted 5 July 2012 I have no idea how to start with this, does it mean we are any closer to proving religion and creation is nonsense? No, IMO, its value is less about the past and more that it maybe changes our future... credit Dr Karl for this bit.... "The theory is that particles basically don't have any mass until they interact with the Higgs field, and when the Higgs field is excited, you get a Higgs boson." "Suppose we want to set up a colony on Mars. "Well, to put a kilogram of anything in a low-earth orbit is about $20,000 - let's go big. "Let's go for a super-tanker weighing a quarter of a million tonnes, and it has everything that we need to have a colony on Mars." Work being undertaken at the LHC could eventually pave the way to "switch off" the Higgs field. "Suddenly the super-tanker has no mass and we can put it into orbit really quickly, really easily, and we can send it to Mars in 20 minutes."
Guest Posted 5 July 2012 Posted 5 July 2012 Not really, because even if you do produce clear, concise and incontrovertible evidence against those two things there still will be people who disregard it and go by faith instead. Curious the way the human mind works, isn't it? If anyone is interested I'd write a report on this for the layman for everyone to read... I'd be interested.
Captain... Posted 5 July 2012 Posted 5 July 2012 No, IMO, its value is less about the past and more that it maybe changes our future... credit Dr Karl for this bit.... "The theory is that particles basically don't have any mass until they interact with the Higgs field, and when the Higgs field is excited, you get a Higgs boson." "Suppose we want to set up a colony on Mars. "Well, to put a kilogram of anything in a low-earth orbit is about $20,000 - let's go big. "Let's go for a super-tanker weighing a quarter of a million tonnes, and it has everything that we need to have a colony on Mars." Work being undertaken at the LHC could eventually pave the way to "switch off" the Higgs field. "Suddenly the super-tanker has no mass and we can put it into orbit really quickly, really easily, and we can send it to Mars in 20 minutes." I've never heard that before, my understanding was that the Higgs field was what gave mass at the point of the big bang, I didn't know this mass could be switched off. I just assumed once it was obtained it couldn't be removed, I mean this opens up a whole world universe of possibilities. Do you have a link to more on that?
leicsmac Posted 5 July 2012 Posted 5 July 2012 I'd be interested. Alright then. If anyone else is interested let me know and I'll write something up either tomorrow or over the weekend. I've never heard that before, my understanding was that the Higgs field was what gave mass at the point of the big bang, I didn't know this mass could be switched off. I just assumed once it was obtained it couldn't be removed, I mean this opens up a whole world universe of possibilities. Do you have a link to more on that? Wouldn't mind looking at this a bit more myself - I think such a thing is beyond conventional possibility.
Haydos Posted 5 July 2012 Posted 5 July 2012 So, one of the most incredible scientific breakthroughs occurs, and all people can say is 'Bazinga'.....Wow! Did it cross your mind that most people (including myself) have very limited or no knowledge about the topic or what it means in layman's terms? EDIT: Plus this is your input on the discussion. Well done.
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