How do scientists draw conclusions about the origin of the universe from watching subatomic particles collide?
There is very strong evidence that the universe started with a cataclysmic explosion called the Big Bang. During the first fraction of a second, particles were colliding with more energy than we have ever witnessed, until now. By studying the way they collide in the LHC, scientists can figure out what happened during this very early era of the universe. As for the origin, that is still a mystery — but it may be that the discoveries of the LHC will point the way. How will scientists such as yourself and your colleagues, and ultimately our students, benefit from these experiments? Scientists want to know how the universe works, and the LHC provides the opportunity to peek at its mysteries in a domain we have never seen before. The results will advise and guide our thinking about particle physics for a generation or more. Ultimately, we want to understand, and this machine will help us understand. Will these experiments make a difference in our everyday lives? When Ben Franklin experiment
