Is our understanding of the Universe about to be transformed by the Large Hadron Collider?
Friday, 5 September 2008
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Next Wednesday the biggest machine and international scientific experiment ever built will be switched on. Called the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), it is a giant $10bn "atom smasher" that has been constructed at the European centre for nuclear research (Cern) in Geneva.
It consists of an underground circular tunnel 27 kilometres in circumference, which is about the size of the Circle Line on the London Underground. At various points along the tunnel, four massive instruments have been positioned to act as sub-atomic microscopes for analysing the extremely high-energy collisions that will occur between two opposing beams of protons, the atomic nuclei of hydrogen atoms. The aim of the experiment is to understand the fundamental forces of nature and the sub-atomic particles that compose all matter in the Universe.
Why is it causing such excitement?
Although we have built "atom smashers" before, this one is different in terms of how much energy will be involved. Two beams of protons will be spun in opposite directions within the underground tunnel and will attain speeds just a fraction shy of the speed of light, meaning that they will make about 11,000 laps of the circuit every second.
When they are accelerated in this way to collide head-on with each other, the resulting impact between the two proton beams will generate about seven times the energy of the LHC's nearest rival machine, the Tevatron atom smasher in Batavia, Illinois. The LHC scientists hope to get up to energy levels of 14 teraelectron volts (TeV) and so in the process create conditions that last occurred less than a billionth of a second after the Big Bang, when the Universe was created some 13.7 billion years ago.
What's the point of all this?
In order to understand what things are made of, and the forces that hold them together, it is necessary to break apart the sub-atomic constituents of matter. It is only by breaking apart a proton that scientists are able to see what is going on within this infinitesimally small unit of matter. The answer comes down to even smaller particles, some of which are so small or elusive that they have so far escaped detection. So far we know of 12 subatomic particles and 4 forces, but this is just the start.
More importantly, scientists hope to resolve some of the biggest problems in physics. They hope for instance to one day unify all the disparate forces of nature, from the small-scale nuclear forces within an atomic nucleus to the force of gravity, which acts between planets and galaxies. They call this the "theory of everything" and there is hope that the LHC will make important contributions to our wider understanding of the biggest questions concerning creation, time and the nature of matter.
Isn't it risky to mess around with high-energy collisions?
There are some theorists who believe that the collisions may create "mini" black holes. But even if they do result from the experiment, they will be sub-microscopic in size and disappear within a fraction of second of coming into existence. Few if any sensible scientists believe that these minuscule black holes pose any threat, for instance by merging into a bigger black hole that could swallow up Geneva.
Some Russian scientists have also suggested that it may be possible for the LHC to create the conditions that could in theory allow time travel. They have rather fancifully painted a scenario where future time travellers come back to visit us through the LHC, but, as other theorists have pointed out, such time travellers would have to be atom-sized to pass through the tiny "worm holes" through time and space that the LHC may or may not create.
What exactly will happen when the experiment gets under way?
For the first time, scientists will attempt to put a beam of protons into the tunnel and to accelerate it around the entire circuit. Then, possibly later that day, or certainly in the days to follow, a second beam will be put into the tunnel and accelerated around the same tunnel but in the opposite direction. It is just possible, although unlikely, that the two beams might collide, which will cause the instruments to start registering readings. However, it is only when all the finer adjustments have been made that the two beams will reach the highest energy levels that could result in some very interesting discoveries.
What important findings might emerge?
The most interesting things are almost certainly going to be those that are least expected -- or even totally unpredicted. However, there is one sub-atomic particle that theorists have already predicted to exist.
Formally called the Higgs boson, but nicknamed the "God Particle", it could explain why matter has mass and hence lead to a greater understanding of the force of gravity. At the energy levels of the LHC, it is very likely that the first Higgs boson will be registered. Indeed, Prof Peter Higgs of Edinburgh University is 90 per cent confident that the particle named after him will be discovered by the LHC. How quickly the Higgs is found – assuming it exists – depends on how heavy it is, with a lighter Higgs being harder to detect than a heavier one.
But this is just one of many possible discoveries that the LHC could make. Physicists hope that the machine will also find the mysterious supersymmetry particles that are thought to have been created at the beginning of the Universe. The theory of supersymmetry says that all known particle have a heavier partner, but none has ever been detected. If the LHC finds evidence of supersymmetrical particles, it may have also found the reason why 90 per cent of the mass of the Universe exists as invisible "dark matter".
How difficult was it to build the LHC and its machines?
Very. The 27-km tunnel is aligned to better than a tenth of a millimetre and underground rivers had to be temporarily frozen to permit its construction. The giant magnets used to accelerate the proton beams have to be held together with a force that can resist 500 tons per square metre -– equivalent to one jumbo jet per square metre.
They are supercooled to 1.8 degrees above absolute zero (-273C), making the LHC the coldest place in the known universe, with enough freezing capacity to keep 140,000 domestic fridges at a temperature of -271.2C. The civil and mechanical engineering involved was almost as momentous as the science, which could account for why next week's switch on was originally scheduled for three years ago.
Is such a huge experiment worth it?
Yes...
* We need to know how the Universe is put together to understand our place in it
* The cost is trivial compared with that of not expanding on our existing knowledge
* There have been huge spin-offs from similar experiments, notably the internet
No...
* The science is too distant and abstruse for enough worthwhile benefits to humanity
* Particle physics is less important than, say, medicine and biology
* If scientists have misunderstood the physics there's a risk of creating a black hole
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Comments
123 Comments
First of all, I'd like to thank the fearmongers for the suicides that have already occured by the depressed who felt hopeless. I don't know about you, but being told you only have about a month to live isn't all that comforting. Way too many people have been focusing on the 0.00000something9 chance of being at risk than being 99.999999% safe. I hope.
Second of all, I'd like to live. I know all of you are trivializing the lives of others by saying "WELL WE'VE ALL GOT TO DIE SOMETIME". Well, sorry, but I don't plan on dying any time soon. I've worked WAY too hard to die for something within our control.
Third of all, this event's really bringing the worst out of many people. This is an opportunity for some people to jump at attacking people's religions and their political views. I mean, shut up, dude.
Either way, I'm looking forward to being alive on October 22nd and not having to listen to a bunch of people making asses out of themselves anymore.
Posted by October 22nd, plz | 14.09.08, 22:46 GMT
Out of the world of Science Fiction comes a structure and experiment that may well change mans' relationship with the universe for ever.... The 'discovery' of dimensions beyond the four that have dictated human experience thus far, would be mind boggling. Physics, Philosophy and Mankind stand at a cross road; one can only surmise at to the outcome, but the results may break down some of the dogma and intransigence that has limited our relationship to the beautiful universe in which we live and help reignite our sense of wonder and magic.
Posted by barry cawston | 14.09.08, 09:33 GMT
Before the Big Bang.
The Big Bang is called by this unflattering name because Fred Hoyle, like many of us, found the idea of a special point in time almost as silly as believing the Earth to be the centre of the Universe.
Nevertheless, it seems to be true. But note that there is no time "before" the Big Bang, just as there is no temperature below absolute zero. It's not just the beginning of space, it's the beginning of space-time. The idea of a God, (complete with that which makes a Him), starting something in a time that doesn't exist yet is more difficult to imagine than a God that is co-existent with an eternal Universe.
Posted by Albert the skeptic | 13.09.08, 18:23 GMT
grizwald,
Einstein's energy equation provides the equivalence formula for mass and energy. It therefore unites the law of Conservation of Matter with the First Law of Thermodynamics.
Religion:
Science doesn't destroy the evidence for God, (there is none) but a careful study shows how ALL living things seem to need either to eat some other living thing, or to crowd them off the planet. Spinoza said that if this makes us doubt God's love, we don't understand God.
I respect Spinoza, but I'm not going to worship his God.
Posted by Albert the skeptic | 13.09.08, 18:10 GMT
For a reply to Albert Heaton, there is at the Gutenberg Project a copy of a 'lay sermon' given by T.H.Huxley entitled, I think "On the Desirability of Advancing Natural Knowledge". He holds that the founding of the Royal Society for that purpose was a more significant event than either the Fire of London or the Plague that also struck. He even makes a good case that, thanks to science, people are kindlier than they were when religion (even among Englishmen) would set them at each others' throats.
Posted by Albert John Rogers | 13.09.08, 17:51 GMT
I personally find the experiments going on at CERN fascinating. Imagine finally having a standard model. This experiment will answer some existing hypothesis and lead scientists to a whole new World of Questions pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. 'Educated' and 'informed' people like Tom (below) clearly think they know better though.
For the record I also look forward to the standard model because it will provide one more nail in the coffin for the cult of religion.
I look forward to reading comments from 'outraged'.
Posted by M Spence | 12.09.08, 16:59 GMT
Tom posted, " Surely there are better ventures to invest £5billion in"
Tom, if you have any concern with the waste of money why don't you tackle the money that is used to fund an illegal war in Iraq? How about Afghanastan or the money used to train thousands to kill in so called armies? Or how about taxpayers money bailing out criminal banksters at Northern Rock to the tune of £20billion? Yet you focus on the £5billion that is aimed at advancing humanity. How about the £9billion+ being spent on a sporting event in London 2012? Or how about the millions that is wasted on proping up the crashing property market with taxpayers money? The £5billion comes from various countries so it's not like its all coming out of our pockets like the other things I mentioned above.
At least the scientists at CERN are trying to find out new knowledge to propell us into the future. What they are trying to find will have an effect on us and our future.
Lets hope though they don't screw up!
Posted by Liam | 12.09.08, 10:20 GMT
All this for a chance to make our lives that much more theoretically meaningless. Wonderful. Hope they find a way to make a better laptop out of it.
Posted by jack | 12.09.08, 06:24 GMT
Im sorry for human stupidity.
And im feeling bad for i cant use my rights to protect myself
of not being killed by others.
Weird feelings to see that people play with other peoples lifes.
Posted by Nyo | 12.09.08, 02:09 GMT
If that black hole ruins MY Halloween i will be mad!
Posted by Michelle Green | 11.09.08, 01:30 GMT
Oh, so I set my alarm for Doomsday at 4am just to find out that the collisions start NEXT month. Great! =D
Posted by David S | 10.09.08, 21:14 GMT
Anyone fancy a pint on October 21st? :)
Posted by Flim | 10.09.08, 17:13 GMT
Of course we are still alive - that's because they won't actually smash any protons together until October! The scientists do NOT know what will happen - that's the whole point of science to find out!
Posted by Paul | 10.09.08, 16:33 GMT
I think they left 3 letters off the sign at CERN, it should read CON-CERN.
One question, what is the point? Is this not just a case of the scientists trying to re-ignite the Science vs Religion argument? Surely there are better ventures to invest £5billion in. Would it not have been more prudent to use this money to discover and develop renewable energy sources and methods of counteracting global warming. These boffins are just living out their geek dreams. Could they not have got the same results from whacking two frozen conkers together and filming the results. What real benefit does this exercise offer humanity? In short, somethings aren't meant to be known, they just are - end of, leave it be and get a hobby that doesn't potential wipe earth out of the solar system.
Posted by Tom | 10.09.08, 14:42 GMT
Lets suppose that the first "Big Bang" was caused by a bunch of
scientists with an LHC looking for a Higgs Boson particle !!!
Does history repeat itself in a "Groundhog Day" of science,
or is that just a wee bit too "free-thinking" for the masses.?
Posted by Chris | 10.09.08, 14:02 GMT
End of the world? Load of clap trap. Bring it on, it's an exciting time for science and human history.
Put it this way IF the world was to end (and it's not) then if you are religious you have nothing to fear since you believe you are going to a better place with God/Allah/whatever other "creator" you believe in. If your not religious, why worry, your life has to end sometime why not with a bang! And we will all go at once!!
Anyway it's not gonna end, stop scare mongering and it just shows how ignorant and greedy newspapers are selling guff like this. And how ignorant and uneducated some people really are. I cant wait for the results of this, I believe it will be life changing for us all.
Wonder what our Minister of the Environment makes of it all?? lol
Posted by Gary | 10.09.08, 13:48 GMT
Many of these posts, unfortunately, display a lack of scientific knowledge, especially the one which describes the collision of atoms whereas the collisions are of sub-atomic particles.
Posted by robbo | 10.09.08, 13:17 GMT
It is too early to say yet if this scientific experiment will produce a black hole. They have only switched the machine on and won't be colliding any atoms until 21st October. We are not out of the woods yet. I go abroad on my hols then. Could they not postpone the colliding of the atoms until the week after ?
Posted by LINDA | 10.09.08, 11:33 GMT
I have been destroyed by a black hole. I hope you scientists in CERN are sorry now.
Posted by Ian | 10.09.08, 11:22 GMT
Dont forget that it was the Cern institute who invented the internet which we are all using right now! the benefits of discovery are not always predictible, many usefull things like penicillin for example are an unexpected consequence of scientific observation
Posted by ian | 10.09.08, 11:09 GMT
123 Comments