Consider this my formal goodbye world if the entire planet goes caput from a man-made black hole, as some are fearing upon the completion and first run of the LHC.
Personally, I'm not even going to fake like I know enough to really understand why people would jump to this apocolyptic conclusion, or why physisicts are so damn excited to play with their new toy. I don't really care about the former, and if any of the more scientific types could explain the latter a little bit for me (or ask everyone's favorite Ghanaian) it would be greatly appreciated.
Even with my relative lack of background on the subject, the Popular Science nerd in me can't help but be a little excited. As the comic explains, usually if science makes someone fear for all of humanity, science is on the right track.
5 comments:
In a nutshell, it could prove the current understanding of particle physics, by producing a particle that was predicted, but has never been observed.That's the big reason its so popular.
It also does other research stuff too, at higher energies than were possible before.
And the black hole thing is something of a joke, as the probability that it will actually happen is virtually zero.
And I'm kinda curious as to where that comic is from...
and for the record (after reading the article) particles from the sun hit the upper atmosphere with more energy (and more particles) than the LHC can produce...meaning that the chances that the LHC will produce a black hole are significantly smaller than the chances of a black hole spontaneously appearing over our heads.
gracias. i found the comic on digg to be honest.... which as of right before i wrote this comment is having server issues sooo a true source for it is pretty much unknown. it was from Aug. 20th and had a solid amount of diggs so im sure finding it wouldnt be tough
What are the chances of a black hole spontaneously appearing over our heads?
And, Andrew if the whole engineering thing doesn't work out, please get your education degree and apply at PHS. I know a science dept chair who would love to hire someone who can boil stuff like this down as succinctly as you can...
I'm biochem, not engineering :), but thanks!
The probability is incalculably small, as the earth has been sprayed by this stuff for billions of years, and we're still here.
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