• Question: How will the research of the scientists at CERN with the Large Hadron Colider expand our understanding of the universe?

    Asked by lgs11wannh to Derek, Elaine, Heather, Keith, Bimpe on 27 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Heather Eyre

      Heather Eyre answered on 27 Jun 2013:

      CERN is all about the properties of extremely small particles, and the work is important in understanding the how the universe formed and energy availability within the universe.

      Figuring out the structure of these really small particles helps us to understand how they interact. It might help identify a sustainable energy force in the future.

      I do wonder what they are going to name any new particles they find: I think the physicists were taking the micky when naming the ‘flavours’ of quark: UP, DOWN, CHARM, STRANGE, TOP and BOTTOM!

      Sylus Ramsbottom… Bottom hehe (minion Kevin)

    • Photo: Keith Siew

      Keith Siew answered on 28 Jun 2013:

      Well it will inform our understanding of the smallest building blocks of the universe… it is one GIANT experiment and can help us recreate some of the moments only seen at the beginning of the Universe itself… Some of the particles which existed then only last for the tiniest fraction of a second…

      As to how the research is going to help us in the future that’s a bit of a guessing game… but it’s terribly important work and needs to be done… no one knew what uses we would get out of the electron… and now that we’ve harnessed its power… we have a world run on electricity!

Comments