The Big Bang

First there was nothing.  Scientists believe that was the case approximately 14 billion years ago.  Then, there was “something” very, very small, very, very hot, and very, very dense. Inside this “something” was equal parts matter and antimatter.  This “something” then inflated and expanded and then cooled.   This was the Big Bang.  One second later antimatter had virtually disappeared.  Matter remained and formed our current Universe. 

Scientists are not sure why the “something” appeared or where it came from.  However, conditions and energies that existed after the Big Bang are being recreated underground in a tunnel under the Swiss/French border near Geneva.  The tunnel, which is 27km (16.5 miles) long and 100 meters (109 yards) underground, contains a collider called the Large Hadron Collider. 

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world’s most powerful particle accelerator.  Inside the collider, two beams of atomic particles (protons or lead nuclei) are accelerated in opposite directions at high speeds head on into each other.  When the particles reach their highest speed, the LHC allows them to collide.  The collision produces other particles. Detectors inside the collider are able to track the collisions and record what is created and how the new particles behave. Computers then process the data.  The more energy that is produced from the collisions, the more similar the collider simulates what occurred after the Big Bang.

The LHC will help scientists understand how and why the universe developed the way that it did.  It may answer the question, what happened to the antimatter.  Aside from testing theories, the project will also have other benefits particularly in the fields of medicine and technology.  Take a look at the LHC.  It’s pretty cool.  http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/11/large_hadron_collider_ready_to.html
- Celine Delaunay