The Viper Vibe
Big Bang Theory is tested by Large Hadron Collider Friday, October 31, 2008 By Oriana Chacon/Staff Reporter
For those wondering if the world is going to be eaten by a black hole, a product of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), you are wrong - or a millionth of a decimal right. This fall the Large Hadron Collider was inaugurated after fourteen years in the making. This is supposed to finally uncover the truth of the long theorized big bang, plus test the laws of the nature in which we live in. It could also reveal the origins of mass, shed light on dark matter, uncover hidden symmetries of the universe and find extra dimensions of space. According to the official website, it is built in a circular tunnel 27 km in circumference and buried around 50 to 175m underground. This tunnel straddles the Swiss and French borders on the outskirts of Geneva. It supposedly sends beams of protons at the speed of light to collide with each other creating orbits. There is some speculation as to how safe it is and the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) has dedicated a whole page to explaining how it could produce microscopic black holes, strange lets, vacuum bubbles, magnetic monopoles and another array of supposedly extreme and improbable consequences. Leave it to science to mingle in the improbable. The LHC started up on September 10, and it commenced with the first synchronization of the system by shooting protons and having them collide with each other. It recreated big bang conditions and made a few orbits. Unfortunately on September 19, due to technical problems it was shutdown to be repaired and the operations will be delayed for several months until probably spring 2009. Some believe that this invention interferes way too much with nature and mingles in the forces of the unknown. Mr. Lapworth, AP Environmental teacher, has an interesting approach. He argues that “this fancy experiment is a waste of money that could be better spent in agriculture or a cure for AIDS” and “science should be used first to improve human conditions and this considerable sum of money spent in the LHC does not justify the ends.” Since this improvement is funded by taxes and private corporations, it may well benefit us as it reveals some innovative things that will eventually help humans in one way or another. Yet, until it starts working again in 2009, there are no worries of super microscopic one second existent black holes…everyone can breathe. |