What is the Higgs Boson and how does it give particles their mass?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of the Higgs boson, also known as the "god particle," which is believed to endow particles with their mass. It is said to interact more with larger particles and determines the amount of mass they have. The conversation also raises questions about how the Higgs boson accomplishes this and whether it is made up of quarks, protons, and neutrons or is its own type of particle. The conversation suggests checking out a forum thread on the topic for more information.
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SuperNova1
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I've recently been told about the higgs boson or "god particle" I've heard it somehow endows particles with their mass, it interacts with the 'larger' (ones with more mass) more than the smaller particles and basically tells them how much mass to have, I am wondering how it does this and also I am wondering what is actually is is it made up of quarks and protons and neutrons or is it is own type of particle
 
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FAQ: What is the Higgs Boson and how does it give particles their mass?

What is the Higgs Boson particle?

The Higgs Boson particle, also known as the "God particle," is a subatomic particle that is theorized to give other particles their mass. It was first proposed in the 1960s by physicist Peter Higgs and was finally discovered in 2012 by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.

Why is the Higgs Boson important?

The Higgs Boson is important because it helps to confirm the Standard Model of particle physics, which describes the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Its discovery also helped to explain why some particles have mass while others do not, providing a crucial piece to the puzzle of understanding the universe.

How was the Higgs Boson discovered?

The Higgs Boson was discovered through experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Scientists at CERN used the LHC to accelerate protons to nearly the speed of light and collide them together, producing an energy level high enough to potentially create Higgs Boson particles.

What is the significance of the Higgs Boson discovery?

The discovery of the Higgs Boson has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It helps to confirm the Standard Model of particle physics and provides evidence for the existence of the Higgs field, which gives particles their mass. It also opens up new avenues for further research and potential breakthroughs in the field of particle physics.

Are there any practical applications for the Higgs Boson?

At this time, there are no direct practical applications for the Higgs Boson discovery. However, its discovery has furthered our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe and could potentially lead to new technologies in the future. Additionally, the technology and techniques developed to discover the Higgs Boson have already been used in other scientific and medical fields.

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