How fast are the the protons in the large Hadron collider?

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SUMMARY

The fastest protons in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) reach speeds close to the speed of light, specifically calculated based on their energy of approximately 6 TeV. The speed is determined through mathematical calculations and the use of detectors that measure the electromagnetic fields within the collider. The LHC is designed to facilitate head-on collisions between protons moving in opposite directions, effectively doubling their relative speed during these interactions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of relativistic physics principles
  • Familiarity with particle acceleration concepts
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic field interactions
  • Basic grasp of energy-mass equivalence (E=mc²)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the calculation methods for particle speeds in accelerators
  • Explore the principles of relativistic momentum in high-energy physics
  • Learn about the design and function of detectors in the LHC
  • Investigate the implications of head-on collisions in particle physics
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Physicists, engineering students, and anyone interested in high-energy particle physics and the operational mechanics of the Large Hadron Collider.

AhmedHesham
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Hi,
I was asking how fast is the fastest Hadron ever moved in the large Hadron collider.And most importantly how do they calculate it? Do the calculate it mathematically or with a detector?
 
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What have you read about the LHC? There is lots of data about its performance and the energies involved. The speed of the hadrons is due to the rate at which the EM fields sweep along the tube so it is fairly easily determined.
 
Google will quickly tell you that the energy of the protons in the LHC is something around 6 Tev. So here are two exercises for you:
1) What is the speed of a 6 Tev proton?
2) The LHC is set up to produce head-on collisions between protons moving in opposite directions. In this head-on collision, how fast are the protons moving relative to one another?
 

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