Lex Fridman Podcast #92 – Harry Cliff: Particle Physics and the Large Hadron Collider
Apr 29, 2020
Harry Cliff, a renowned particle physicist at the University of Cambridge, shares his insights on the Large Hadron Collider and beauty quarks. He explains how the LHC accelerates particles to unveil the universe's fundamental forces. The conversation dives into the challenges of particle discovery and the evolution of particle physics over decades. Cliff also discusses the intriguing concept of supersymmetry and its implications for understanding the Higgs field. His passion for making complex ideas accessible shines through, engaging listeners in the mysteries of the cosmos.
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Quantum Fields
- Particles aren't fundamental building blocks, but vibrations in quantum fields.
- These fields, like magnetic fields, exist everywhere, and particles are ripples within them.
LHC Size
- The LHC's size is determined by a balance between magnet strength and tunnel size.
- Stronger magnets allow for smaller rings, as they can bend particles more effectively at high speeds.
Early Atomic Discoveries
- In 1897, the discovery of electrons at the Cavendish Laboratory revealed particles smaller than atoms.
- Later, Rutherford's experiments showed the atom has a dense, positively charged nucleus.
