The Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

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I want to know what people think about this. Good thing? Bad thing? Waste of money? I personally think its fascinating and that it is a wise investment for the investigation into more advance area's of Physics and the Universe. My Physics tutor is actually on a trip to Geneva there at the moment, I'll get a chance to go there next year so I'm looking forward to that.

For anyone who doesn't know anything about it:

Wikipedia Article - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider
Official Website - http://www.lhc.ac.uk/

So, feel free to /discuss.
 

I don't really have much of an oppinion on it. I suppose I would call it a good thing because it's privatly funded. Almost like a bunch of friends buying a beachhouse, on a much larger (and nerdier :p) scale.
 

^^ I suppose it is, I'd much rather own the LHC than a beachhouse though, the discoveries this can find could confirm or disprove many Physics theories around the world and give us a huge insite into the workings of the Universe.
 
Are they only going to operate it, or do they plan on letting other scientists giving it a shot?
This could prove useful, maybe even try colliding antimatter to produce a fuel or completely destroy that theory.
 
ttomthebomb said:
Are they only going to operate it, or do they plan on letting other scientists giving it a shot?
This could prove useful, maybe even try colliding antimatter to produce a fuel or completely destroy that theory.

I think the scientists themselves will be the only one's operating it but they will be doing almost every single experiment suggested that could prove/disprove a theory or possible make a scientific discovery in any way, with a resource like that I think it's there duty to the scientific community to use it in any useful way they can. Some of the main experiments they are as follows; trying to discover the Higg's Bosun and prove or disprove the Higg's mechanism, supersymmetry along with extra dimensions and whether we can prove them or disprove them. It's fascinating the amount of things it is being used for.
 

I've never had too much of an interest in physics, so I suppose that's why I don't care too much. I would however, be in strong opposition to it if it had been funded by a government. That's why I'm so glad it was privately funded.
 

Fair enough, I love Physics so this is right up my street. I would've also objected to it if it had been funded by the Government aswell, I don't think the Government should have access to such a project like this, its good for the Scientists to be fully in control.
 

The Manhatten Project? I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before some government sticks their hand in the cookie jar.
 

True, but hopefully with this project the Scientists can remain fully in control for as long as possible, the Government sticking there noses in it will only end up with the project being used to create a new type of weapon. (I have no idea how this project could relate to that but I could see it happening)
 
Good thing, it advances knowledge and creates anti-matter. Those who say "it'll blow us up" have no clue about the science behind it .
 
krazedkat said:
Good thing, it advances knowledge and creates anti-matter. Those who say "it'll blow us up" have no clue about the science behind it .

^This. On the day it was first started (not even firing up yet) I had 10+ people coming to me at school (a few years ago, college is so much better) asking if it was going to 'Blow up the world and make a black hole and suck us all in'. I literally almost smashed my face on a bench.
 
I had the same thing happen. I said "if you really think that is how it is going to happen get the fuck out of my Science Academy and Enriched Mathematics course you blubbering idiots!"
 
krazedkat said:
I had the same thing happen. I said "if you really think that is how it is going to happen get the fuck out of my Science Academy and Enriched Mathematics course you blubbering idiots!"

Haha, epic response. I just looked at them and slowly turned away, I didn't actually have the heart to say anything. What worried me even more is that the 'top' person in my Physics class was the first one to ask..
 
What a sad sad physics class .
 

It definitely was, ah well, the College Physic's tutor is so much better.
 
You're in college now? Nice, what classes?
 
krazedkat said:
You're in college now? Nice, what classes?

UK college, yeah. Physics, Mathmatics, Biology and Computing. There all awesome.
 
I'm going into computer engineering/programming, I'm in grade 11 right now :\.
 
krazedkat said:
I'm going into computer engineering/programming, I'm in grade 11 right now :\.

Awesome, when I've finished college I'm going into University for a Masters degree in Physics, what is Grade 11 in relation to the UK education system? I'm not too familiar with any other countries.
 

When you finish secondary school and return for 2 years, junior would be the first return year.
Also, I want to get a degree in Computer Software Engineering (programming, essentially) and be a certified engineer to work for the government.