Galaxy size particle accelerator

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of using a galaxy-sized particle accelerator to probe the Planck length, exploring the feasibility and implications of such an idea. Participants examine the energy requirements to reach the Planck scale and question the necessity of large accelerators in general, while also considering alternative approaches and theoretical frameworks.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a galaxy-sized particle accelerator is unnecessary to probe the Planck length, arguing that creativity in understanding the universe is more important.
  • Others question the practicality of such large accelerators, stating they would be useless and emphasizing the universe's natural processes as sufficient for exploration.
  • There are inquiries about the equivalent energy in TeV needed to probe the Planck scale, with comparisons made to everyday energy experiences, such as lifting weights or the energy of a bolt of lightning.
  • One participant proposes that if M-Theory were validated, it might allow for a much smaller accelerator to achieve similar probing capabilities, potentially using compressed energy techniques.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the existence of certain particles, like the Higgs boson, and argue that the focus should be on understanding fundamental aspects of time and energy rather than high-energy particle collisions.
  • Concerns are raised about the diminishing returns of building larger accelerators, with one participant suggesting that the LHC might be the last significant effort in particle physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus on the necessity or utility of galaxy-sized particle accelerators. Some advocate for their potential, while others dismiss the idea as impractical. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to probing the Planck scale and the role of large particle accelerators in future research.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the energy calculations and the definitions of momentum and wavelength in the context of probing the Planck scale. The discussion also reflects differing opinions on the future of particle physics and the validity of certain theoretical constructs.

waterfall
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It is said that it takes a particle accelerator the size of a milky way to probe the Planck length. But with the resources available in the universe and with other billions year A.D. civilizations out there existing. What if they had created one already. Is there any galaxy out there that look like a particle accelerator in Astronomy?

Also what is the equivalent Tev to probe the Planck scale. How many Hiroshima size atomic bombs for example in energy or is it just the energy of a train collision?
 
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you don't need a galaxy size particle accelerator to probe anything at all nor do we need one on earth. I highly doubt there is a galaxy size particle accelerator out there because it would be useless. The real key is being creative and figuring out how to piece together the universe.
 
eXmag said:
you don't need a galaxy size particle accelerator to probe anything at all nor do we need one on earth. I highly doubt there is a galaxy size particle accelerator out there because it would be useless. The real key is being creative and figuring out how to piece together the universe.

Momentum is proportional to wavelength... so is it right that one divides the Planck constant by the wavelength of the Planck scale?

What is the wavelength of the Planck scale? How many TeV result? And is it equal to in terms of daily experience.. like the energy to lift a hundred pound weight?

Does anyone know about this?
 
eXmag said:
you don't need a galaxy size particle accelerator to probe anything at all nor do we need one on earth. I highly doubt there is a galaxy size particle accelerator out there because it would be useless. The real key is being creative and figuring out how to piece together the universe.

It doesn't matter how creative one is if one cannot verify the results.
 
eXmag said:
you don't need a galaxy size particle accelerator to probe anything at all nor do we need one on earth.

So you figure all those physicists all over the world who want bigger and better particle accelerators are just dumb? And you clearly are smarter?
 
We don't need a bigger accelerator, the universe does a fine job on its own.
 
waterfall said:
Also what is the equivalent Tev to probe the Planck scale. How many Hiroshima size atomic bombs for example in energy or is it just the energy of a train collision?

The Planck energy is approximately the amount of energy released in a bolt of lightning. The trick is focusing it in an incredibly small volume (for comparison, the LHC should operate at 14TeV, about the energy expended by a fly performing a pushup).
 
Nabeshin said:
The Planck energy is approximately the amount of energy released in a bolt of lightning. The trick is focusing it in an incredibly small volume (for comparison, the LHC should operate at 14TeV, about the energy expended by a fly performing a pushup).

So one has to build particle accelerator the size of a galaxy to concentrate the energy of a bolt of lightning into the Planck scale?

From the formula

Momentum = Planck constant / Wavelength

What's the wavelength of the Planck length?
And what's the units of the momentum and how do you carry the bolt of lightning into the probing carrier wave of the momentum to reach the Planck scale?
 
phinds said:
So you figure all those physicists all over the world who want bigger and better particle accelerators are just dumb? And you clearly are smarter?

why do we need a particle accelerator? i clearly did not say that i was smart, all i am, is being creative. Why do we need to bombard particles at high speeds? will that enable us to travel to other worlds? no, one has to understand the mere building blocks of time to fully understand the universe. There is no such thing as a higgs boson nor will we find one because it doesn't exist. The real key to the future is energy not creating neutrinos and antimatter or whatever.
 
  • #10
Assumes facts not in evidence. That is why we continue building bigger accelerators. My only objection is it is merely an exercise in the law of diminishing returns. I am fairly convinced the LHC is our last and best effort at particle physics. Whatever is left, however improbable, is left for cosmologists to explore.
 
  • #11
If M-Theory were discovered, maybe there would be a shortcut such that instead of a galaxy sized particle accelerator, it would just be tabletop size using perhaps M-energy from M-theory to probe the Planck scale... using something to compact the lightning bolt and compress it down to Planck size. Remember in Manhattan Project, they were able to use compresion bomb to compress the uranium or plutonium and made the nuke go off at first try. This is very impressive. Imagine doing something they hadn't done before and it exploded the first time. Bottomline is, We have literally many geniuses in our midst..
 
  • #12
Closed pending moderation.
 

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