The God Particle is the unofficial name for the Higgs boson, a theoretical subatomic particle. Although current models in particle physics predict that it exists, direct evidence of the Higgs boson has yet to be discovered. Two major laboratory groups are in the race to find evidence of the God particle: CERN supercollider in Switzerland and the Fermilab near Chicago, Illinois.
How to Find the "God Particle"
Particle accelerator facilities use high-powered electric fields to push subatomic particles to extremely high speeds. By firing two such streams at one another, scientists can create and study new particles that may not occur naturally in our environment.
CERN vs Fermilab
Competition to find the God Particle has heated up in the wake of problems at the CERN supercollider in Switzerland. Both CERN and the Fermilab in the United States have geared up specifically to find the first evidence of the Higgs boson. Both supercolliders should be capable of discovering if the theoretical particle exists once they are fully functional.BBC News: Race for 'God particle' heats up (February 17, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Official name
Higgs boson
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Fact:
Theorized by physicist Peter Higgs
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Fact:
Nickname "The God Particle" was coined by Nobel Prize winner, Leon Lederman
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Fact:
Particle is predicted by the Standard Model of Particle Physics
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Fact:
Is the last unverified component of the Standard ModelSLAC Virtual Visitor Center: The Standard Model
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Fact:
Scientists use particle accelerators to try and isolate an example of the "God Particle"
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Fact:
Cannot be successfully isolated in any current facilities
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Fact:
The Large Hadron Collider, when complete, will be able to perform necessary proceduresSLAC Virtual Visitor Center: The Standard Model
