Particle physics
Particle physics is a branch of physics that investigates the fundamental constituents of our Universe. The nature of particles, matter, radiation and forces of nature are all studied by particle physicists. Researchers at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, are probing subatomic particles such as quarks, leptons and bosons. In 2012 the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN announced the discovery of the Higgs boson, a particle predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics.
What if we built a super-collider around the Moon?
Scientists have considered putting a super-collider on the Moon. What benefits would this have over the Large Hadron Collider at CERN?
How does background radiation affect particle detectors?
The strange science of radioactive steel and sunken treasure
This ‘impossible’ quantum discovery could rewrite the rules of existence
Physicists may have got something fundamentally wrong about the world’s most essential particles. The truth could change our understandings of the Universe
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New theory could finally make ‘quantum gravity’ a reality – and prove Einstein wrong
A united Theory of Everything is the 'Holy Grail of physics'
Bizarre ghost particles are wreaking havoc with our sensitive technology
Neutrinos are difficult to detect, but they’re starting to show up in places where they’re not wanted.
The mysterious black hole ‘parsec problem’ may have finally been solved
A new study has discovered how some of the smallest objects in the Universe interact with the biggest – a breakthrough that could shed fresh light on dark matter.
Scientists close in on dark energy's mystery 'chameleon' particle
Physicists have developed a new instrument that could change the face of physics forever.
Do electrons live forever?
They live for a very, very, very long time.
This hidden ice base is mining the Antarctic for ghostly cosmic particles
Neutrinos are everywhere, yet they’re almost impossible to detect. Now, some of these ghostly particles have been picked up coming from the Milky Way for the first time.
CERN’s new 91km long ‘atom-smasher’ could soon reveal how our Universe will end
Plans for a new underground ‘atom-smasher’ sound ambitious, but they could be the key to unlocking the true nature of the Higgs Boson and, ultimately, our Universe.
How new antimatter science could soon explain the existence of everything
Matter comes in many flavours, each with its own unique, intriguing properties.
No, you absolutely cannot drop candy into the Large Hadron Collider. Here's why
The Large Hadron Collider accelerates protons to near the speed of light so throwing an M&M down there could be catastrophic.
Ultra-bright light breakthrough could spark 'technological and scientific revolution'
Getting a bright light in a small space is harder than it sounds – but these scientists may have done it.
Why dark energy could keep the dream of anti-gravity alive
A new antiproton decelerator experiment has revealed stunning new insights into gravity and antimatter.
How one particle could unlock the Universe’s mysterious ‘fifth force’
Could new measurements of the way subatomic particles known as muons interact with magnetic fields hint at physics beyond the Standard Model?
How the hunt for invisible particles is opening a new scientific frontier
The answer lies in achieving a perfect synergy between theory and experiment.
It may be one of the basic building blocks of all matter, but there’s still a lot we have to learn about the proton
Physicists investigating the properties of the subatomic particle quickly find themselves going down a rabbit hole of complexity and quantum weirdness.
7 of the best physics books, according to physicist Suzie Sheehy
Suzie Sheehy shares insight from her new book, The Matter of Everything, and recommends 7 of her favourite books for further reading.
How close are we to building real-life lightsabers?
With Obi-Wan Kenobi hitting Disney+, we want to know the feasibility of the Jedi weapon of choice.
Reality Check | W boson: Is the new measurement for the subatomic particle's mass the first chink in the armour of the Standard Model?
Data from an old experiment hints at answers to some of the biggest questions in physics.
Could we harness energy from a black hole?
Though the engineering is beyond us now, the Penrose process could theoretically allow us to extract energy from black holes.
Why the promise of nuclear fusion is no longer a pipe dream
Fusion – combining atomic nuclei to release energy – is a clean and safe way to power our homes and industry. This ‘holy grail’ of energy has eluded physicists for decades, but there are signs that a bright future could be on the horizon.
What is gravity? A guide to nature's most mysterious force (and what we still don't know)
Everyone knows that what goes up must come down. But why? Gravity, it turns out, is full of surprises…
A beginner's guide to Feynman diagrams
In this extract from Ten Patterns That Explain The Universe, science writer Brian Clegg explains how Richard Feynman's eponymous diagrams not only illustrate complex particle interactions, but can make calculations easier, too.