Mankato scientists joined colleagues around the world in celebration of the successful first test of a new particle accelerator in Europe — as well as anticipation of epic experiments yet to come.
The world’s largest atom-smasher, called the Large Hadron Collider, is aimed at some of the biggest questions in physics: Why do particles have mass and what’s dark matter, to name two.
“You can’t over-emphasize what they’re doing,” said Steve Kipp, a professor of astronomy at Minnesota State University.
The trial run shot protons around the 17- mile tunnel deep under the Swiss-French border early Wednesday morning.
Actual experiments slated to begin in a few weeks will smash protons apart to reveal the even tinier particles within, said Mark Pickar, chair of MSU’s physics department.
It’s not the first such collider, but it is the biggest and most powerful, and has been in development for nearly 25 years.
“One of the basic principles is the bigger the energy, the smaller the scale you can investigate,” Pickar said.
The experiments aim to recreate the conditions immediately after the “ big bang,” which many believe led to the creation of the universe.
It could “give rise to a brand-new physics,” Pickar said.
One major question involves “dark matter,” a name given to an as- of-yet unknown mass that is shown to exist by gravitational models. Basically, scientists see its effects on other celestial bodies but have no idea what it is.
Scientists also hope to discover one of the tiniest particles of all, the Higgs boson. The theoretical particle would help explain what gives other particles their mass.
Just as exciting, though, is the prospect of unexpected answers.
“You can be surprised no matter how good your theories are,” Pickar said.
There has been some buzz about the atom smasher somehow creating a black hole and destroying the Earth, but neither professor seems to be worried.
The energy generated is unprecedented for colliders, Kipp said, but cosmic rays routinely produce more energies.
“I’m not paranoid.”
(This story contains information from the Associated Press.)
On the Web: To check out the popular and scientifically accurate rap explaining the new particle collector, visit www.youtube.com and search for LHC rap. (For the online version, link to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50ZssEojtM)
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