Is LHC pushing the limits of naturally observable phenomena in the Universe?

In summary, high-energy particle collisions occur all the time in the upper atmosphere from High Energy Cosmic Rays, with energies much higher than those at the LHC. These collisions are thought to originate from active galactic nuclei, and the LHC itself collides particles at a much lower energy level.
  • #1
kahoon
4
0
Are collisions with the energy levels of LHC happening in our modern day Universe? Like at the core of stars or at the event horizon of black holes where a lot of high energy stuff is going on?

Sorry for the naive question, I'm extremely interested in physics but I'm just not proficient enough (at all) to deal with the advanced math behind it.
 
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  • #2
High-energy particle collisions occur all of the time in the upper atmosphere from High Energy Cosmic Rays. These exceed the energies at the LHC tremendously, approximately [tex]3\times 10^{20} eV[/tex]. A possible place of origin is active galactic nuclei. LHC will collide particles at [tex]1.4\times 10^{13} eV[/tex]
 
  • #3
Kevin_Axion said:
High-energy particle collisions occur all of the time in the upper atmosphere from High Energy Cosmic Rays. These exceed the energies at the LHC tremendously, approximately [tex]3\times 10^{20} eV[/tex]. A possible place of origin is active galactic nuclei. LHC will collide particles at [tex]1.4\times 10^{13} eV[/tex]

Wow, thanks. I wouldn't have thought that these kind of things happen right here on our planet.
 

1. What is the LHC and how does it push the limits of naturally observable phenomena in the Universe?

The LHC, or Large Hadron Collider, is a particle accelerator located at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland. It is the largest and most powerful particle accelerator in the world, designed to collide particles at extremely high energies. By doing so, it allows scientists to study the fundamental building blocks of the universe and investigate the physical laws that govern them. By pushing particles to higher energies and creating conditions similar to those present in the early universe, the LHC is able to probe the limits of what is naturally observable in the universe.

2. What are some of the naturally observable phenomena that have been studied at the LHC?

Some of the naturally observable phenomena that have been studied at the LHC include the Higgs boson, which is responsible for giving particles their mass, and the existence of dark matter, which makes up a large portion of the universe but does not interact with light. Scientists have also investigated the properties of the strong nuclear force, which holds atomic nuclei together, and the weak nuclear force, which is responsible for radioactive decay.

3. How does the LHC contribute to our understanding of the universe?

The LHC contributes to our understanding of the universe by allowing scientists to test and refine existing theories about the fundamental nature of matter and energy. By studying the behavior of particles at high energies, scientists can gain insights into the structure and origins of the universe. The data collected at the LHC has also led to the discovery of new particles and has helped to confirm the Standard Model of particle physics.

4. Are there any potential risks associated with the high energies produced at the LHC?

There has been much speculation about the potential risks of operating the LHC, such as the creation of tiny black holes or the formation of strange matter. However, these claims have been thoroughly studied and debunked by the scientific community. The LHC operates within the boundaries of known physical laws and any potential risks are highly unlikely to occur.

5. How does the LHC benefit society?

Aside from contributing to our understanding of the universe, the LHC has also led to numerous technological advancements that have benefitted society. The development of superconducting magnets, advanced computing and data storage systems, and precision engineering techniques have all been a result of the construction and operation of the LHC. These technologies have applications in fields such as medicine, energy, and transportation, making the LHC a truly valuable investment for society.

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