Large Hadron Collider Quiz: Test Your CERN Knowledge

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world’s largest particle accelerator, built by CERN beneath the France-Switzerland border near Geneva. It began operating on 10 September 2008 and is best known for providing experimental evidence of the Higgs boson in 2012. This quiz covers its history, function, safety record, and upcoming upgrades.

• The LHC officially started up on 10 September 2008, after construction began in 1998.
• CERN’s LHC provided experimental evidence for the Higgs boson in 2012, a particle linked to how other particles acquire mass.
• The High Luminosity LHC upgrade is expected to become operational around 2027.
• Particle beams inside the LHC collide at four points around the accelerator ring.
• CERN offers guided public tours that include visits to parts of the LHC facility.

Please share your results after taking the quiz below.

1. What year was construction first started?

 1997

 1998

 1999

 2000

2. What was the initial energy level for the first research?

 3.5 TeV

 4.2 TeV

 4.5 TeV

 4.7 TeV

3. How many LHC experiments are there?

 5

 6

 7

 8

4. Scientists have to cool the LHC’s magnets down to

 1.3 K

 1.5 K

 1.6 K

 1.9 K

5. Each proton goes around the 27km ring over

 9 000 times a second

 11 000 times a second

 13 000 times a second

 14 000 times a second

6. There is even an LHC

 Musical

 Symphony

 Rock Song

 Rap

7. In 2008 repairs were need to the tune of

 $17 million

 $19 million

 $21 million

 $23 million

8. How many miles is the accelerator tunnel?

 11 miles

 13 miles

 15 miles

 17 miles

9. What experiment is studying a “fluid” form of matter called quark–gluon plasma?

 ATLAS

 CMS

 ALICE

 LHCb

10. What experiment is researching antimatter?

 LHCb

 ALICE

 ATLAS

 CMS

11. How many collisions are made per second for run 2?

 600 Million

 650 Million

 750 Million

 1 Billion

12. On June 3rd 2015 the LHC reached what energy level

 12 TeV

 13 TeV

 14 TeV

 15 TeV

13. Which detector is this?

 ATLAS

 ALICE

 CMS

 LHCb

 Loading …

Ready for your next quiz? Try How well do you know about the Periodic Table of Elements?

What Is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. It was built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and lies beneath the France-Switzerland border near Geneva. The LHC’s main function is to collide particles at close to the speed of light to study fundamental physics, the basic forces of nature, and the properties of subatomic particles.

When Was the Large Hadron Collider Built?

Construction of the LHC began in 1998, and it was officially started up on 10 September 2008. It was one of the most ambitious and complex experimental facilities ever built, involving thousands of scientists and engineers from around the world.

How Does the Large Hadron Collider Work?

The LHC accelerates two high-energy particle beams, usually protons, in opposite directions around a circular tunnel. These beams are guided by a strong magnetic field and collided at four points around the LHC ring. The collisions create a range of unusual and short-lived particles, allowing physicists to study the basic constituents of matter.

What Are the Main Goals of the LHC?

The main goals of the LHC include understanding the basic laws governing the interactions and forces among particles, exploring the fundamental structure of matter, and searching for unknown particles, such as the Higgs boson, which was discovered in 2012. It also aims to study matter under extreme conditions, similar to those just after the Big Bang.

What Was the Higgs Boson Discovery?

In 2012, the LHC provided experimental evidence for the existence of the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle associated with the Higgs field, which is thought to give mass to other particles. This discovery was a significant breakthrough in understanding the origin of mass in the universe.

Is the Large Hadron Collider Safe?

Yes, the LHC is safe. Concerns have been raised about the potential for creating dangerous phenomena such as microscopic black holes, but extensive studies have shown that collisions in the LHC pose no threat. Any black holes that could theoretically be produced would be extremely small and short-lived.

What Are the Future Plans for the LHC?

The LHC is currently undergoing upgrades to increase its luminosity, known as the High Luminosity LHC project. This upgrade, expected to be operational around 2027, will allow it to collect more data and provide more opportunities to understand the fundamental physics of the universe.

Can the Public Visit the Large Hadron Collider?

Yes, CERN offers guided tours for the public, which include visits to various parts of the LHC. These tours provide an opportunity to learn more about particle physics, the experiments conducted at CERN, and the LHC itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Large Hadron Collider located?

The LHC is located beneath the France-Switzerland border near Geneva, built and operated by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The accelerator ring runs through an underground tunnel that crosses the international border.

When did the LHC start operating?

The LHC officially started up on 10 September 2008, following construction that began in 1998. It remains one of the most complex experimental facilities ever built, involving thousands of scientists and engineers worldwide.

What is the Higgs boson and why does it matter?

The Higgs boson is a fundamental particle associated with the Higgs field, which is thought to give mass to other particles. The LHC provided experimental evidence for its existence in 2012, a discovery considered a major breakthrough in understanding the origin of mass in the universe.

Could the LHC create a dangerous black hole?

Extensive studies have shown that collisions in the LHC pose no threat, despite concerns raised about the potential for microscopic black holes. Any black holes theoretically produced would be extremely small and short-lived.

What upgrade is planned for the LHC?

CERN is currently working on the High Luminosity LHC project, an upgrade expected to become operational around 2027. The upgrade aims to increase luminosity so the accelerator can collect more data and expand opportunities for studying fundamental physics.

Can members of the public visit the LHC?

Yes, CERN offers guided tours for the public that include visits to various parts of the LHC. These tours provide an opportunity to learn about particle physics, the experiments conducted at CERN, and the accelerator itself.