Inside the subatomic race

steve heidmann — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:15:20 GMT

nice amount of depth

Inside the subatomic race

J. Quinlan — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:10:22 GMT

For all of our searching in the heavens; the super massive black holes, the neutron stars and billions upon billions of galaxies and unbelievable distances and time; the bottom line; the Rosetta Stone to all of this, will be what we discover at the sub-atomic level. The key to it all.

Inside the subatomic race

timothy eastridge — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:28:36 GMT

If a Higgs field is to be the key as to why particles gain mass in a non-zero field, then this understanding must be met with how the Higgs boson relates to empty space and how it distinguishes which particle it interacts with and which one it repels. Electromagnetic fields either attract or seperate depending on angular fields of atomic structure. If the field is constant frequency(same wavelength) it will only attract those particles stimulated by that wavelength. If this field pulsates, then particles of differing frequencies will bond. I believe that the Higgs boson pulsates at alternating frequencies like a transistor shutting on and off in a microchip. This will create the eV allowing for mass stabilization. Mass must stabilze at certain frequenices or all particles of the electron would contain the same eV and the same mass.

Inside the subatomic race

clarence edwards, akron ohio — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:24:13 GMT

would you put this in plain terms what is the benifit after investing all this money if it works then how do you apply it? my e-mail is O1Buster@neo.rr.com i understrand some of it but so what is what i ask? is there practical application or are you just gonna create a black hole in illinois?

Inside the subatomic race

Nicole C., Las Vegas, Nevada — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:44:30 GMT

I thought the use of words that create gender bias in a subjective piece of writing was a widely accepted no-no at this point in human history. Nevertheless, Alan Boyle and MSNBC overlooked the importance of editing the subheading "CDF: Men at Work." These instances of thoughtless speech are what send the subtle message to girls and women everyday that they are not welcome in the fields of Science and Mathematics. No one would think to write "CDF: Whites at Work" even if the only people who work there are White males. It is equally inappropriate to write "Men at Work." Disappointing, Mr. Boyle and MSNBC, very disappointing.

Inside the subatomic race

Scott Potter, Lexington, KY — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:46:02 GMT

In recent years I have found myself siding on the minority on issues concerning the pursuit of the so-called "God particle." But it is a rather prestigious minority. Thomas Kuhn, among the most widely cited authors on the Philosophy of Science astutely observed how correct answers to scientific questions are fundamentally circular and dependent on the terms in which the questions are framed, and that while scientific inquiry opens new technological possibilities they bring us no closer to understanding anything more than our own minds.

Inside the subatomic race

Alan Boyle — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:24:28 GMT

Thanks, Nicole ... I shouldn't have let that phrase slip by. It's one of those cliches that still sticks in this 53-year-old brain. And in fact, although the crew members who were working on the cooling system were all male (one black and three whites, although scientifically speaking, you can't really define "black" and "white" with the same precision you can define male and female), I chatted with a woman hardhat worker who was bringing up a piece of scaffolding on the elevator, so indeed it was "Men and Women at Work." I've changed the subheading to be gender-neutral. Of course if a particular group of people are all men or all women, there are some constructions that work better just because of the way our language is designed (e.g., actresses and spacemen). In this case, however, the subhead wasn't correct, and I thank you for calling my attention to it.

Here's another story that mentions some of the women who are working on the frontiers of physics at Fermilab and elsewhere:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7374458/

(By the way, please call me Alan) ;-)

Inside the subatomic race

Scott in Seattle, WA — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:50:21 GMT

Clarence, back in the early 60's when President Kennedy announced that American's would be going to the moon there were those who doubted the benefits. Now as you sit typing on you computer, which, in the rare case you did not know, was a direct product of the programs in NASA during the 60's, it seems that this lesson has again been lost. If we choose not to explore new frontiers, expand our knowledge of the universe we live in, or to ignore lingering questions of what we as humans are, then where does that leave us? By the way, I want my flying car now. PLEASE!!

Inside the subatomic race

John, San Antonio, TX — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:26:36 GMT

Clarence, the next time you or a loved one (wife, mother, father, child) get (for example) a fancy MRI investigation to find what is the problem and how can we fix the problem, thank these ladies and gentlemen for their cutting edge research and thank the powers-that-be for supporting this research. Now, that's practical -- no black hole.

Inside the subatomic race

Gary Krestinsky — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:12:29 GMT

It is an understatement to say that I am fascinated by the scientific endeavors underway to try to determine the existence of the Higgs boson and the "theory of everything." Just a conjecture but I fear that the LHC will only bring about another level or levels of sub-atomic particles which will be a predecessor to other levels ad infinitum. Is the LHC project to be completed in early 2008 as originally planned? The resultant knowledge will without a doubt bring civilization improved technologies through superminiaturized conductors/transistors and other applications. And for the record, why does someone always throw in a gender and/or race comment when it is not germane to the discussion?! Keep up the good work.

Inside the subatomic race

michele bellflower ca — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:52:12 GMT

i am interested in asking a scientist or physics dr. or anyone with a lot of knowledge of space, where do they believe life started? it is so mind boggleing to hear and read about the Vacuum of space, the fact that in space you are going 25000.00 miles per hour and it looks like they are floating in slow motion, all so interesting i love hearing other peoples opinions n all space and life questions ... michele