Exploring CERN and the LHC's Universe Role

Oct 5, 2024

CERN and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Introduction to CERN

  • CERN: European Organization for Nuclear Research
  • Location: Home to half of the world's particle physicists
  • Significance: Hosts the largest particle-hunting machine in the world

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

  • Structure: Features a nearly 17-mile loop
  • Function: Sends two beams of protons hurling around the loop before smashing them together
  • Purpose: To create subatomic particles by recreating conditions that existed just after the Big Bang

The Big Bang

  • Description: An explosion at the beginning of the universe when all matter was created
  • Timeline:
    • Year zero marks the beginning of the universe
    • Universe expanded and cooled over time, dispersing energy
    • Today marks 14 billion years since the Big Bang

Formation of Celestial Bodies

  • Sun Formation: Occurred 9 billion years ago
  • First Stars: Formed over 8 billion years before the Sun

LHC's Role in Understanding the Universe

  • Objective: To explore conditions that existed in the millionths of a second after the Big Bang
  • Method: Acts like a time machine, examining high energy density conditions

Outcome of Collisions

  • Energy Conversion: Energy at collision points is converted into mass, forming thousands of particles
  • Discovery Potential:
    • Many particles are already known
    • Hope to discover new particles
    • Aim to explain mysteries of universe formation

Conclusion

  • Overall Goal: Understanding fundamental building blocks of the universe and the conditions immediately following the Big Bang.