Do the conditions created by the LHC accurartely simulate the big bang?

In summary, the LHC is supposed to create conditions similar to the big bang. Although energy densities, temperatures and other conditions may be similar to those theorized in the big bang and soon thereafter, are the conditions of space and time the same now as then? If time and or space were fundamentally different at the moment of the big bang than today, wouldn't the results in our current 'space/time' conditions yield different results than the big bang if there were fundamental differences?One way of stating the equivalence principle is that *locally*, the properties of time and space are always exactly the same. This means that the laws of physics should be the same in every place and at every moment. However, the
  • #1
BernieM
281
6
The LHC is supposed to create conditions similar to the big bang. Although energy densities, temperatures and other conditions may be similar to those theorized in the big bang and soon thereafter, are the conditions of space and time the same now as then? If time and or space were fundamentally different at the moment of the big bang than today, wouldn't the results in our current 'space/time' conditions yield different results than the big bang if there were fundamental differences?
 
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  • #2
One way of stating the equivalence principle is that *locally*, the properties of time and space are always exactly the same.

The properties of *matter*, on the other hand, can vary. There are certainly ways in which an LHC collision does not exactly mimic the conditions at a certain time shortly after the Big Bang when, say, the temperature was the same. For example, the net charge density in an LHC collision is positive, but in the early universe it was zero.

-Ben
 
  • #3
Supposing that some of the current ideas are correct, for example, that at the moment of the big bang space was 1 dimensional, then it might be possible that the particles being created today in 3d space are not what were created in the big bang.
 
  • #4
BernieM said:
Supposing that some of the current ideas are correct, for example, that at the moment of the big bang space was 1 dimensional, then it might be possible that the particles being created today in 3d space are not what were created in the big bang.

Wait, what? 1-dimensional objects are lines. Assuming you actually meant 0-dimensional, which are points, this is still a ridiculous thing to claim.

The fact is, discussing the "moment of the big bang" is meaningless. Within the context of GR, this is a singular point so the theory breaks down. Assuming some quantum gravity corrections, the singularity is likely removed so there is no "moment of big bang". Either way, you can only discuss things about the moments after the event.
 
  • #5
BernieM said:
Supposing that some of the current ideas are correct, for example, that at the moment of the big bang space was 1 dimensional, then it might be possible that the particles being created today in 3d space are not what were created in the big bang.

If there were radical changes in the structure of spacetime, that would have been at earlier times than the times simulated by the LHC. As Nabeshin has pointed out, it's necessary to be more precise about the time after the Big Bang that you're talking about.
 
  • #6
"Last year, Landsberg and colleagues suggested a simpler way to let the standard model live on at high energies: Have a universe with vanishing dimensions. If the hot infant universe had only one spatial dimension and acquired more as it expanded and cooled, some of the most intractable problems in physics disappear."

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/vanishing-dimensions/#
 
  • #7
No t=0, too much energy. After t>0 maybe.
 

1. What is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and how does it simulate the big bang?

The LHC is a particle accelerator located at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland. It is the largest and most powerful particle collider in the world, designed to accelerate particles to nearly the speed of light and collide them together. This process allows scientists to study the fundamental building blocks of the universe and recreate the conditions that existed shortly after the big bang.

2. How does the LHC create the extreme conditions of the big bang?

The LHC uses powerful magnets to accelerate particles to high speeds and then collides them together in a controlled environment. These collisions create temperatures of over a trillion degrees Celsius, which is similar to the conditions that existed in the early universe after the big bang. This allows scientists to study the behavior of matter and energy in its most primitive state.

3. Can the LHC accurately simulate the big bang?

While the LHC cannot recreate the exact conditions of the big bang, it can produce similar conditions and allow scientists to study the fundamental forces and particles that were present in the early universe. The data collected from these collisions can provide valuable insights into the origins of our universe and help us better understand the laws of physics.

4. What are some of the discoveries made at the LHC that support the big bang theory?

One of the most significant discoveries made at the LHC was the confirmation of the Higgs boson, a particle that gives mass to other particles and is a crucial component of the standard model of particle physics. This discovery supports the big bang theory, as it helps explain how particles acquired mass in the early universe. Other discoveries, such as the existence of antimatter and the behavior of dark matter, also provide evidence for the big bang theory.

5. Are there any potential risks associated with the LHC and its experiments?

The LHC has been extensively studied and is considered safe by the scientific community. However, there have been some concerns raised about the potential for creating microscopic black holes or other unknown phenomena. These concerns have been thoroughly addressed by researchers, and the LHC has been deemed safe to operate. Additionally, the experiments conducted at the LHC are carefully monitored and regulated to ensure the safety of both the scientists and the general public.

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