Search for ‘God particle’ likely to further technological advances
Some people fear that the search for the “God particle” will bring the end of the world.
But area physicists are quick to debunk the idea.
What’s more likely is that the search for the how the universe was made will further technological advances — indirectly.
It’s big stuff, but it won’t kill you. It’s more the opposite — it gets closer to explaining life.
The hubbub about man-made black holes swallowing the Earth is a byproduct of the biggest scientific endeavor in the world — the Large Hadron Collider, or LHC.
The project, which was originally intended to be constructed in Texas before the expense and politics got in the way, is located on the French/Switzerland border near Geneva. It consists of a circular tunnel dug deep underground with a 17-mile circumference, called a particle accelerator. After years of construction, scientists fired up the machine for the first time last week.
If all goes as planned, in a month or so two beams of protons traveling near the speed of light will collide, and the reaction will give scientists a glimpse of what happened when the universe was created. They’re searching for an element that is theorized to be a part of all known matter. It’s a quark called the “Higgs boson.” Some call it the “accidental particle,” and to others it’s the “God particle.”
Dr. Christopher Godfrey, professor of physics at Missouri Western State University, said the fears of cataclysm are similar to those expressed before scientists tested the first atomic bomb.
“People were afraid that the test would evaporate the atmosphere,” he said, adding that even if a black hole is created by the LHC, “there is nothing in the known universe that can fit inside a black hole that small, so why even worry about it. It evaporates almost instantly.”
Dr. Michael Ottinger, an associate professor of physics at Western, was a graduate student when the first version of the LHC (called the superconducting super collider) was being constructed in Texas. He actually worked there for a week before the program was shut down.
“You’re searching for that blade of grass ... there will also be flowers all around,” he said, explaining that even if they don’t find the “God particle,” many more discoveries are there to be made.
Dr. David Richardson, an associate professor of physics at Northwest Missouri State University, said his students have been curious about the project. One of his students pointed him to a painfully geeky yet informative video called the “Large Hadron Rap,” viewed upward of 3 million times on YouTube.
“The experiment is on the cutting edge,” said Dr. Richardson, adding that the results of it probably won’t be of much use to anyone immediately, much like the discovery of nuclear fission. “Nuclear reactors took 20 years to develop after that discovery.”
Jimmy Myers can be reached
at jimmym@npgco.com.
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I can't believe more people don't comment on this, but they have plenty to say of the homeless or pretty people.
This has the potential to reveal, for fact, the 11 dimensions thought to exist by top scientists!
I would be much less intrigued if this were completed in Texas because I know our government would hide most anything of REAL value from us. Probably in the name of national security. In Switzerland and France... we're actually going to hear what not only goes on, but the results and discoveries as well!
The LHC has the potential to reveal time travel. Except it's not going to be the way we thought. More like, "inter-dimensional travel," where we will finally be able to MAP these other 7 dimensions, and not just theorize their existence.
This also has the potential to create a VERY large controversy with Christians as we could possibly understand what, "ghosts" are. Many well-respected scientists believe "ghosts" are simply the brain firing perfectly for that moment, allowing us to view these other dimensions of existence. Just like the ancient civilizations, we can't explain them so we call it a, "spiritual being." Sound familiar?
If we do exist on vibrating strings, all inter-connected, it would make perfect sense that there would occur instances in which each existing being could come into "contact" with each other. It's not the science or brains holding us back, it's our eyes.
Think of it this way...
With 11 dimensions, and we are capable of "viewing" only 4 (3D + time), those other 7 dimensions are possibly energy-beings, who at random times, view US as "ghosts."
I really wish the News-Press would cover more of this ongoing experiment as it has the potential to one of the most important scientific endeavours of the human race.
If you're not sitting on the edge of your seat, you're either completely uneducated on the LHC or you're a die-hard Christian and refuse to accept that things may not be what you thought they were.
Posted by BHSGRAD on September 19, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)Hate Christians much? I wasn't aware that Christians believed in ghost on Earth, nor that seeing such beings are done soley by Christians. Other then those cheap and inaccurate shots, you make some great points. I think most are just more excited to see the results of the test before commenting.
Posted by MichaelH on September 19, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)No, no, no. I do not hate Christians or anyone who takes refuge in faith in a higher authority.
I'm simply pointing out that there is a reason for EVERYONE to be interested in the experiments. It's worth noting the one constant on Earth is war in the name of salvation and respective gods, and as such, this experiment has major implications to those people as it will challenge their beliefs... OR it may solidify them.
That's what is so exciting - this affects EVERYONE in some way regardless of personal beliefs.
In other words - we will finally have reason to become ONE people, not groups separated by race or sex.
And as for the last sentence in my first comment, it stands true. I've spoken with many Christians on this subject who think the very foundation of the experiment implies blasphemy and as a result refuse to participate in the conversation.
I hardly find anything cheap or inaccurate in what I've said, I think you've just misinterpreted or maybe I failed to clearly make my point.
In any case, I hate no one and embrace everyone as my brother regardless of their beliefs.
Posted by MichaelH on September 19, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)Why is there a comment missing?
Posted by devinbroncs123 on September 19, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)MichaelH does make a great point. I know so many hardcore Christians that are not open minded when it comes to testing their belief. I don't believe in God (I just wanted to point that out, I won't get into the details or try to persuade anyone). I wish that some Christians would open up to the mere FACT that science is real. Evolution is real. Everything evolves. How do you think polar bears became white? This is besides the point and that's another arguement.
I know why they disagree with the LHC. It's overall goal is to test the Big Bang Theory. How did the universe start? They will be able to test what is theorized. anti matter. Since the common chemistry rule is "matter cannot be created nor destroyed" is on the brink of being falsified, it has a lot of people worried. If they can prove that matter can be created AND destroyed, they will be one step closer to proving that GOD did NOT create the universe. That's a scary thought for a Christian. My wife is a hardocore Christian and she is paying attention to this. Not because she questions her faith, but because she is curious.
This is one of the most expensive and advanced experiments in human history. Why wouldn't you pay attention. These guys know what they're doing. And I would bet my life savings that most of their theories are proven to be FACTS. Type in hypothesis' of the LHC project on Google. You can check out some of the things they are trying to accomplish.
Posted by MichaelH on September 19, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)Surely they do, Grimjack. Unfortunately for us, this newspaper supplies those IP's and email accounts through Cablevision (NPGCo.).
Posted by CasseroleX on September 19, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)I am a 'diehard Christian,' devout Catholic actually, and I, too, am amazed at how 'Christian' people will turn their eyes away from science. What they need to think of it as that science is the 'how;' religion is the 'why.'
Science isn't evil, it merely exists to help explain the physical. It doesn't rule out the divine.
As humans, religious or not, we have got to understand that we in reality know and can probably comprehend very little about the universe. After all, the Bible and Sacred Tradition teach us what we need to know about God and our relationship with Him, it doesn't mean nothing else exists in the universe and it doesn't mean we can't study particle physics or anything else.
I personally am excited about these experiments.
Posted by gershon on September 19, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)Jews have known about the 10 dimensions for thousands of years. Don't be surprised if they find 10 additional dimensions within 7 of those dimensions.
We've also written about the big bang for thousands of years. When will science catch up with our religion?
I'm interested in this particle accelerator thing just because it sounds fun. That is, if the world doesn't end when they collide ;).
Posted by MichaelH on September 19, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)Theories of the 11th dimension didn't surface, in recorded form, until the 20th century along with string or membrane theory.
I enjoy the notion that science has fallen short in experiment or theory to religion, so long as it's in a humorous context ;)
As for any additional dimensions, I agree completely.
In theory, if we can find this particle, we'll know how everything began, came to be and we'll know what everything "is."
Essentially, we'll know everything. My question is, what do you do when you know everything? Interesting to think about, to say the least.
Posted by StJoeMoe on September 19, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)I believe it will compliment God and his existance.
Ironic, the "smartest, most well educated" looking for something Christians already have......
And if it did wipe out the planet, no big deal.
I know where I'm going.
Posted by MichaelH on September 20, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)Well in light of the 2 condescending Christians' comments, I have the choice to either laugh or be frustrated.
Should we simply give up on technological advances and research? Should we abandon the LHC experiments? Is it a huge waste of time?
I mean, essentially you're saying if the scientists would have simply consulted your good book first we could have spent our money on something else... right? I mean, you guys have all the answers, right?
You stand tall with your pride (which is a sin), and denounce the scientists for "not getting it sooner."
Just so I know you're aware; scientists aren't looking for salvation, they're looking for education. Supreme knowledge. If you think you have somehow been enlightened THROUGH someone or something else, by all means, share the information!
However if you're simply spewing rhetoric, it's hardly needed here. I find it humorous that you maintain you have nothing to gain as a human from this experiment simply from your religious stance; that is most certainly absurd.
And your holier than thou comments are asinine.
One last thing, it is your good book that propels many scientists to find some shred of evidence. It is the monumental inconsistencies in your good book that fuels many good people to find their own, definitive answers.
Science texts are verifiable, and your book is not. Nor will you defend it as if it were because you, "must have faith."
I wonder how well scientists would be received if they published theory with nothing to back it up?
Bottom line is, it's absurd to post your comments and they alienate myself just as I would alienate you if I called your god puny and weak and non-important.
Knock it off, already.
Posted by StJoeMoe on September 21, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)MichaelH - Does the H stand for "hate"?
I welcome and applaud science, as do the vast majority of Christians I know.
Christians can not and should not be stereotyped, any intelligent person should know that.
A Baptist is as far from a Catholic as the LHC is from Triumph Foods........
The impression I get from your contributions is that you may be a hypocrite, that is just my impression.
And someone that is hurting, confused and possibly a little hostile........
I'm praying for you, and that is nothing but GOOD.
Best to you
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