General Question about Higgs boson

In summary, the conversation discusses the excitement surrounding the Higgs boson and the origin of the idea that it imbues particles with mass. They mention the discoveries that led to the belief in a field present in the universe that interacts with certain particles and causes them to have mass. The conversation also touches on the history of understanding light as a wave and the search for a medium, and how similar discoveries helped shape the concept of the Higgs boson.
  • #1
Routaran
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jun/29/higgs-boson-rumours-fly-cern-results?newsfeed=true

just read this news article and sounds thoroughly exciting.
I wanted to know in general exactly gave rise to the idea of the higgs boson imbuing elementary particles with mass.

What were the discoveries leading up to and that gave rise the the idea that there should be a field present at every point in the universe that interacts only with certain particles, slowing them down and as a result causes them to have mass while others like photons flight straight through unaffected at the cosmic speed limit c

for example, i know first ppl thought light was a wave and then searched for a medium and couldn't find any and then went on to discover that was wasn't quiet a wave.
something similar but i would appreciate more details on what went on and what discoveries helped create and shape the idea of the higgs boson.
 
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  • #2
Bump!
 
  • #3
Please browse through the High Energy Physics forum.

Zz.
 

FAQ: General Question about Higgs boson

What is the Higgs boson?

The Higgs boson is an elementary particle in the Standard Model of particle physics. It is responsible for giving other particles their mass through the Higgs mechanism.

Why is the Higgs boson important?

The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 confirmed the existence of the Higgs field and the Higgs mechanism, which is crucial for our understanding of how particles acquire mass. This discovery also completed the Standard Model of particle physics, which is our current best explanation for the fundamental particles and forces in the universe.

How was the Higgs boson discovered?

The Higgs boson was discovered through experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. Scientists used the data from high-energy collisions to look for the predicted decay products of the Higgs boson.

What are the implications of the Higgs boson discovery?

The discovery of the Higgs boson has confirmed the existence of the Higgs field and the Higgs mechanism, which is crucial for our understanding of the fundamental particles and forces in the universe. It also opens up new possibilities for further research and understanding of the origins of the universe and the nature of matter.

Can the Higgs boson be used for practical applications?

Currently, there are no known practical applications for the Higgs boson. However, its discovery has furthered our understanding of particle physics and could potentially lead to future developments in technology and energy.

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