Can Particles Stretch in a Particle Accelerator?

In summary, the question posed is whether or not a particle in a particle accelerator will occupy more length along its path as its velocity increases. The answer is no, as the physical length of the electric field of the particle actually shrinks by a factor of gamma as it is accelerated. This is due to the principles of relativity and uncertainty.
  • #1
mintparasol
78
0
Hi all,
Just a lay person here with a healthy interest and a quick question:-

In a particle accelerator, as the particle 'beams' are accelerated, can it be said that the particle occupies more length along it's path as it's velocity increases. Is it possible that a particle could 'stretch' to the entire circumference of it's path within the accelerator as it's velocity approaches the speed of light.

I'm sure this question reveals my limited understanding of particle accelerators and particle physics in general but would be grateful for and help or guidance.
Thanks in advance,
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  • #2
On the contrary, relativity is on our adventage, is not? Time dilates, length contracts.
 
  • #3
If you calculate the physical length of the electric (Coulomb) field of a particle in a beam (in a beam tube), it shrinks by a Lorentz factor gamma as it is accelerated, and is roughly 1/1000 of its at-rest length for a 1000 GeV proton. So instead of being ~10 cm (~1/3 nanosecond) long, it is 10 microns (~1/3 picosecond) long.
Bob S
 
  • #4
Thanks guys. I was mistakenly thinking that under the principle of uncertainty, the position of a particle in an accelerator would be a probability wave that would lengthen the faster it's velocity.
 

1. What is the LHC and what does it do?

The LHC, or Large Hadron Collider, is a particle accelerator located at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland. It is the world's largest and most powerful particle collider, designed to accelerate and collide particles at nearly the speed of light in order to study the fundamental building blocks of matter and the forces that govern them.

2. What are particles and why are they important to study?

Particles are tiny units of matter that make up everything in the universe, including atoms and subatomic particles. Studying particles allows us to understand the fundamental laws of nature and how the universe works at its most basic level. This knowledge can lead to advancements in technology and medicine.

3. What is the purpose of colliding particles at high energies?

Colliding particles at high energies allows scientists to recreate conditions similar to those just after the Big Bang, when the universe was formed. By studying these collisions, we can gain insight into how the universe evolved and how particles interact with each other.

4. What is the Higgs boson and why is its discovery important?

The Higgs boson is a subatomic particle that gives other particles their mass. Its discovery in 2012 at the LHC confirmed the existence of the Higgs field, which is responsible for giving particles their mass. This discovery was an important milestone in particle physics and helps us better understand the fundamental laws of nature.

5. What are some potential applications of LHC research?

While the primary goal of LHC research is to advance our understanding of the universe, there are also many potential applications that could arise from this research. These include advancements in medical imaging, energy production, and materials science, as well as potential breakthroughs in fields such as quantum computing and dark matter detection.

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