Higgs Boson: How do you search for it?

Updated: http://youtu.be/ktEpSvzPROc Fermilab scientist Don Lincoln describes the concept of how the search for the Higgs boson is accomplished. Several large experimental groups are hot on the trail of this elusive subatomic particle which is thought to explain the origins of particle mass. You can try the interactive graphic (using IE 9+, Firefox 3.4+, Safari 4+) at: http://vmsstreamer1.fnal.gov/VMS/111208_HowHiggs/HiggsInteractive.htm

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Fermilab
• Higgs
• CERN
• LHC
• CMS
• Atlas
• Higgs Boson
• God Particle
• Large Hadeon Collider

[angMohit]

How can particles like the higgs boson (that give mass to other particles) have mass of their own???

[WhatTheFlyinFudge]

I was really interested in this video. I tried to pay attention to all of it, but about 1:32 I started thinking about grapes.

[MrItchyElbow]

@MrCrowley45 I don't know if you can answer this, but maybe some one can. Is the Higgs boson a virtual particle created by the Higgs field? If so, are we moving into metaphysics when look at these things, or does it shift the ideas out of metaphysics into physics in general?

[thandermax]

Its like describing a particle (with MASS) to describe the origin of MASS in all particle

[alexandre220011]

@angMohit I hezrd it was the higgs field which would give the particle mass and the Higgs boson would just be the particle associated to that field. And I heard the Higgs boson could interact with the field... But not 100% sure of what i say ;)

[Etrajbe]

On the news the anchor lady asked: what does it do for us humans to discover this? (ofc obviously physics and understanding of nature is the root to absolutely EVERY BIT of human progress, be it technology or anything else!) but i just had to facepalm when i heard it, sad how some humans dont UNDERSTAND nature and dont have any insight at all into the real world, they just live their lives not understanding what this means, to human achievement, for us as individuals, for the species as a whole.

[ScienceNinjaDude]

@Nerfherder3 Just mass.

[MrCrowley45]

@angMohit the Higgs boson is not what gives particles mass. The Higgs boson is a side-product of the Higgs field, produced when colliding the protons together. This boson quickly decays in to other bosons or particles (such as W or Z bosons). It is the Higgs field that gives particles mass. I'm not sure about the structure of the field, how it gets energy to slow down the particles (gravity?) but scientists are well aware, just do some searching (I'm no physicist or expert).

[Nerfherder3]

Thanks for the upload! Very informative. Just one question: Does the Higgs give only mass or does it give all quark/ lepton characteristics?

[gorale238]

Keep up the good job guys. This is so exciting!!! :)

[bezoar1023]

Ohhhhhhhh headache of headaches