Higgs boson
The Higgs boson is a theoretical elementary particle in particle physics. It was proposed by physicist Peter Higgs in the 1960s as a solution to the mystery of why other particles have mass.
About
It was proposed by physicist Peter Higgs in the 1960s as a solution to the mystery of why other particles have mass. The existence of the Higgs boson was confirmed in 2012 by experiments conducted at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland. According to the prevailing theory called the Standard Model, particles acquire mass by interacting with a field called the Higgs field. The Higgs boson is a quantum excitation of this field, and its discovery provides evidence for the existence of the Higgs field. The search for the Higgs boson spanned several decades and involved collaborations of scientists from around the world. The LHC, the largest and most powerful particle accelerator ever built, was used to accelerate protons to nearly the speed of light and smash them together. The collisions produced a shower of particles, and by analyzing the data, scientists were able to identify the Higgs boson. The discovery of the Higgs boson was an important milestone in physics, as it confirmed the existence of the Higgs field and provided further support for the Standard Model. It also helped explain how particles acquire mass and why certain particles are more massive than others. Since its discovery, scientists have been studying the properties of the Higgs boson and trying to understand its role in the universe. The Higgs boson is expected to play a crucial role in theories beyond the Standard Model, including the quest for a theory of quantum gravity and the explanation of the origin of dark matter. The Higgs boson has also been popularized in the general public through various media, often being referred to as the "God particle". However, this nickname is not favored by physicists, as it gives the wrong impression about the nature of the particle and its significance. In summary, the Higgs boson is a fundamental particle that was discovered in 2012 and confirmed the existence of the Higgs field, which is responsible for providing mass to other particles. Its discovery was a major breakthrough in particle physics and has opened up new avenues for scientific research.