Chances of Strangelet Forming?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential formation of strangelets in particle colliders and the associated risks, particularly the hypothetical scenario of such an event leading to catastrophic consequences for Earth. Participants explore the scientific basis for these concerns and seek clarity on the likelihood of such occurrences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a BBC program that suggested a doomsday scenario involving strangelet formation, expressing a desire for a straightforward answer regarding its likelihood.
  • Another participant mentions that a commission, including Frank Wilcek, concluded that the chances of strangelet formation are vanishingly improbable, noting that such scenarios would typically be expected to occur in stars, which have not been observed.
  • A participant questions the reasoning behind the claim that strangelet formation would lead to the destruction of Earth, seeking an explanation for why this scenario is considered possible.
  • Another participant expresses a personal conclusion that strangelets cannot destroy the Earth, referencing historical calculations related to nuclear tests and suggesting a lack of accountability for their views.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the likelihood and implications of strangelet formation, with some asserting it is improbable while others seek further clarification on the potential consequences. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of the risks involved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including a lack of detailed scientific explanation for the mechanisms by which strangelets could pose a threat and the assumptions underlying the conclusions drawn by participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals curious about theoretical physics, particle physics, and the implications of high-energy experiments in relation to cosmic phenomena.

kabz
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hi all, i am new to these forums and have a question that has been on my mind for quite some time,
about 12 months ago there was a programme on the bbc called "End Day",
in which there was a doomsday scenario that a particle collider would create a strangelet,
which in turn would engulf the world and squash us to the size of a small pea,

my question is: what are the chances of this actually happening?
i do not have an exstensive physics knowledge and so far everything i have found goes into too much technical detail,
what i would like is for a straight simple answer in as close to laymans terms as possible.
many thanx
 
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I believe Frank Wilcek and a few others were on a commission to study the chance of this scenario and came to the conclusion that it was vanishingly improbable. The problem is you would expect this sort of scenario (if true) to occur in stars, and of course this is unobserved.
 
can someone please explain why strangelet forming will destroy earth? i mean why would that scenario happen?
 
If it were in a such comission, I had also concluded it can not destroy the earth... they are not going to blame me if I am wrong, are them?

People asked Bethe, about a calculation of the same kind he was forced to do before the first A-bomb test, if he was worried about it when the test was done. You can imagine, "Wait, it was hbar, not h!"
 

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