Large Hadron Collider and the Quest for Scientific Discovery

CERN, established in 1954, is a major research complex known for its particle accelerators. The Large Hadron Collider, opened in 2008, is the world's largest accelerator, designed to explore conditions post-Big Bang. It accelerates particles to near light speed, causing collisions that release gamma rays, observed by detectors. Superconducting magnets, cooled by liquid helium, are crucial but can fail if warmed. Early operations faced setbacks due to a faulty connection, leading to significant repairs.

What year was CERN established?

• 1954

• 1964

• 1984

• 1974

What is the circumference of the Large Hadron Collider?

• 100 kilometers

• 27 kilometers

• 50 kilometers

• 10 kilometers

What particles are accelerated in the LHC to near light speed?

• Protons and neutrons

• Neutrinos and muons

• Electrons and positrons

• Quarks and leptons

What is used to cool the superconducting magnets in the LHC?

• Liquid oxygen

• Liquid hydrogen

• Liquid helium

• Liquid nitrogen

What caused the early operational issues in the LHC?

• A power outage

• A software glitch

• A faulty electrical connection

• A mechanical failure