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.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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What is light?

Is light a wave or a particle? How is it created? And why can’t humans see the whole spectrum of light? All your questions answered.
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Where did all the antimatter go?

Some of our antimatter must be missing, given the amount of matter leftover in the Universe.
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How scientists are using cosmic radiation to peek inside the pyramids

Muon tomography is a non-invasive investigation technique made possible by particles travelling through space at almost the speed of light. And it’s revealing secrets buried deep inside ancient pyramids and volcanoes.
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What is dark matter?

How much of our Universe is dark matter, and what evidence is there for its existence?
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A bluffer's guide to the new fundamental law of nature

If there is a new fundamental law of nature, that is. It's complicated.
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Quarks are not behaving as they should, CERN has found

The "intriguing" results could point to new physics.
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Do subatomic particles have a colour?

Asked by: Matilda Wicks, Brighton
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What’s the smallest particle?

We’ve teamed up with the folks behind BBC World Service’s CrowdScience to answer your questions on one topic - this week it's all about the smallest particle.
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