CERN, or the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. Their main focus is to study the fundamental particles and forces that make up our universe.
CERN is currently in the news due to the recent discovery of the Higgs boson particle, also known as the "God particle". This discovery was made possible by the Large Hadron Collider, a powerful particle accelerator located at CERN.
The LHC is a 27-kilometer long circular particle accelerator located underground at CERN. It accelerates particles to nearly the speed of light and then smashes them together, allowing scientists to study the resulting collisions and gather data about the fundamental building blocks of our universe.
CERN's research has led to many practical applications, such as the development of medical imaging technologies and the creation of the World Wide Web. It also has the potential to lead to breakthroughs in renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and other fields.
CERN takes extensive precautions to ensure the safety of their experiments, both for the scientists working at the facility and for the surrounding environment. The LHC is constantly monitored and safety systems are in place to prevent any accidents or damage. Additionally, all experiments must go through a rigorous review process to ensure they are safe and ethical.