The Big Bang Simulation!

By: Ben Irving, Georgina Johnson, and Scott Kaufman

What is the Big Bang Simulation? Scientists in Switzerland have built a machine that will create a  similar scenario to the actual Big Bang. The machine being used  is called the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The collider is located in a   27km-long tunnel (approximately 17 miles) that ranges from 50 to 175 

meters below the ground. It runs under the Geneva airport and  its surrounding villages and  farmland.

This is a picture of the inside of the LHC ---> 

How Does the Large Hadron Collider Work?

The machine will create a similar situation to the Big Bang by  smashing certain particles together. As the particles are smashed 

together they will break apart into smaller, more fundamental 

components. Physicists will have a chance to observe those 

particles, some of which have never been seen before!

What the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) Can Help Us Learn:

By simulating the Bang Bang, we can start to piece together how the  earth we know today was formed. We can learn vital information about the history of our planet and  how it has changed over the years. It may also help us learn how organisms were created.

Fears About the Big Bang Simulation

Some people fear that the Large Hadron Collider could 

lead to the End of the World! It is possible that the machine will create many miniature 

black holes that could swallow up the earth. Because of 

this concern, the architects of the LHC have been brought 

to court many times to try and stop the project.

The Cost of the Large Hadron Collider:Original Expected Cost: -The Accelerator - $3 Billion-CERN Contribution to Experiments - $700 Million-Construction of the Machine - $1.6 Billion-Completing the Experiments - $140 Million       Total: 5.44 Billion Dollars

Actual Cost:-The Accelerator - $3 Billion-CERN Contribution to Experiments - $700 Million-Construction of the Machine - $1.6 Billion-Completing the Experiments - $140 Million

Because of delays and problems with the LHC more money was spent trying to fix it.- Extra amount of money used - unknown

Total: Over 7 Billion Dollars

Acknowledgements:

http://flyawaysimulation.com/article3039.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider#Safety_of_particle_collisions  http://delamagente.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/big-bang.jpg

http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images/2008-09/large-hadron-collider.jpg

http://www.cosmographica.com/gallery/portfolio2007/content/bin/images/large/131_BlackHole.jpg

Acknowledgements Continued:

http://www.gwu.edu/~sps/Society%20of%20Physics%20Students%20(SPS)/Events/A136FC42-F9B5-46A5-A0CB-F0007B262E14_files/Black-hole.jpg

http://www.cosmographica.com/gallery/portfolio2007/content/bin/images/large/169_BlackHole2.jpg

http://poietes.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/m51-spiral-purple-dots-are-black-holes1.jpg

http://media.photobucket.com/image/blue%20black%20hole/Shadow_Senshi/BGs%20and%20Wallpapers/black-hole-wallpaper-thumb.jpg http://tinarathore.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/cosmos.jpg

Seminar QuestionsGroup 1:

1. What are your thoughts on the simulation?2. Do you think this is a good way to simulate the Big Bang or are the risks too great?3. Even though this machine is not as big as the actual Big Bang, do you think it can create an accurate simulation?4. Do you think there couldbe another way to simulate the Big Bang?5. Do you think the machineis too costly?

Group 2:

1. What are your thoughts about the risks involved in recreating a simulation of the Big Bang?2. What is the value in trying to simulate the Big Bang?3. What results would you hope to discover from this simulation?4. Funding for scientific experiments is limited, do you think the billions spent on the LHC are justified?5. Do you believe the LHC scientists can get accurate data from this machine?