Did Homer Simpson Accurately Calculate the Mass of the Higgs Boson?

In summary, a 1998 episode of The Simpsons featured Homer attempting to calculate the mass of the Higgs boson on a blackboard. However, it has been pointed out by Simon Singh and Lubos Motl that the calculation was not accurate. Singh also suggests that he may have been involved in the equations written by Homer.
  • #1
jim mcnamara
Mentor
4,774
3,835
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/...oson_n_6793204.html?utm_hp_ref=media&ir=Media

According to Simon Singh, in a 1998 episode the writers of the Simpsons had Homer in front of blackboard with a supposedly accurate calculation of the mass of the Higgs boson. Hmm. Apparently the people who write the Simpsons were trained in mathematics, now making a much better living doing something else.

Not sure what the 'else' is. I'd bet it pays better than most post-docs.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
jim mcnamara said:
supposedly accurate calculation of the mass of the Higgs boson
C'mon PF let's confirm this! :)
 
  • #3
Same episode:

electric-hammer.jpg
 
  • Like
Likes axmls
  • #4
jim mcnamara said:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/...oson_n_6793204.html?utm_hp_ref=media&ir=Media

According to Simon Singh, in a 1998 episode the writers of the Simpsons had Homer in front of blackboard with a supposedly accurate calculation of the mass of the Higgs boson. Hmm. Apparently the people who write the Simpsons were trained in mathematics, now making a much better living doing something else.

Not sure what the 'else' is. I'd bet it pays better than most post-docs.
Lubos Motl has a good blog entry on this: http://motls.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/did-homer-simpson-calculate-correct.html . Unfortunately Homer was off target. Interesting Motl's suggestion that Singh himself is behind the equations written by Homer (if really so I would have expected more from him :) ).
 

FAQ: Did Homer Simpson Accurately Calculate the Mass of the Higgs Boson?

What is the connection between Homer and the Higgs boson?

Homer is a character from the popular TV show "The Simpsons" known for his catchphrase "D'oh!". The Higgs boson is a subatomic particle that was discovered in 2012. The connection between the two is a popular meme on the internet, where people use Homer's catchphrase to represent the Higgs boson as something that is difficult to understand or find.

Is Homer's representation of the Higgs boson accurate?

No, Homer's representation of the Higgs boson is not scientifically accurate. The Higgs boson is a real particle that was predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics and was discovered by scientists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012. It is not a donut-eating, beer-drinking character like Homer.

Why is the Higgs boson often referred to as the "God particle"?

The term "God particle" was coined by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Leon Lederman in his book "The God Particle: If the Universe is the Answer, What is the Question?" as a way to describe the elusive nature of the Higgs boson and its importance in understanding the fundamental laws of the universe. However, many scientists do not like this term as it can be misleading and has no religious connotations.

How does the discovery of the Higgs boson impact our understanding of the universe?

The discovery of the Higgs boson is a significant milestone in particle physics. It confirms the existence of the Higgs field, which is responsible for giving particles their mass. This discovery helps to complete the Standard Model of particle physics and provides a better understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

What are the practical applications of the Higgs boson?

The Higgs boson has no direct practical applications. However, its discovery has led to advancements in technology, such as new methods for data analysis and particle detection, which can have broader applications in fields like medicine and energy production. Additionally, the research and development of the LHC and other particle accelerators have resulted in numerous technological advancements that benefit society as a whole.

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top