There's nothing directly practical involved with experimental particle physics but knowing all of the "facts" can lead to better discoveries down the line. For example, finding out that atoms have a nucleus was just a random factoid at the time of discovery but eventually it led to all of the nuclear/radiation technology (fission, weapons, NMR) that we have today that no one could have predicted at the time.
Newton's theory of gravity was just something cute at the time, too. Figuring out quantum theory and the associated quantum tunneling eventually led to the transistor, etc.
Also, all of the machines and technological advances behind the particle accelerators and sensors can be reused/recycled into other more practical applications. Things like the superconductors, cryogenics, high speed computing, lasers, imaging technologies.
To throw out completely random speculation, a complete knowledge of particle physics may eventually lead to workable fusion power some time down the line. If we find some new particles that interact in interesting ways with current particles, that could lead to wildly crazy things but obviously that's low probability.
So, if you're looking for direct practical applications, nothing there but it may lead to something along the path to something more practical later on.
Spoken like a fool.
Imagine it's 1897. Some fools are playing around with cathode tubes. "Why are you idiot scientists playing around with that stuff? Discovering the electron? Big friggin deal. An atom is so small it couldn't possibly do anything useful. An electron is even smaller. We need to stop wasting money on you idiot scientists doing nothing but science for the sake of learning. Can't you do something with immediate applications?"
Thanks God there weren't an excess of people with that mentality back then. Imagine what the world is like without any electronics. Without televisions. Without anything related to our knowledge of electrons, which as of 1896 hadn't even been discovered. Fast forward a few decades. Discovery of the neutron. Einstein already knew E=mc²; for a decade or so. But, that was absolutely useless knowledge. There's no way you can harness that energy. Along comes the neutron discovery & nuclear physics really takes off.
The search for the Higgs boson could be approaching its conclusion at Cern
Ah, so you're saying this is necessary for time travel?
sha-weeeeeeeeeeet!
That being said, the 2 posters above you answered my question more thoroughly (rather than just asking me to broaden my views). I just wasn't sure of the actual use of this knowledge, and I tend to think more short term. If the info gathered leads to significant technological advancement, then I'm sure it will pay off.
If we left things up to people that thought that way, the most advanced tools we'd have now would be hammers and shovels.
I've always wondered what the value of knowing this info is. Basically it helps us understand why particles have mass. But overall, compared to the money spent finding it, what is the value of this information? Can we use this info?
I'm not trying to be skeptical, I'm just ignorant to the purpose of all of this. I assume there is some bigger reason to why all of this money is being spent.
Was hoping for some lamens...
:biggrin:"It's too early to say…I think we may get indications that are not consistent with its non-existence."
How about the simple fact that we are humans, and we have a quest for knowledge and understanding of our universe and the origins and makeup of life? Why does everything have to be about money and return on investment? Why don't you broaden your mind just a little bit?
It's not even like this is money spent on some endowment for a guy in his shed to figure out why bees like honey or something stupid like that. It's about the fundamental makeup of our existence. Isn't that worth anything to you?
Start tossing random things into the torus and see what happens when they collide at 0.99C.so does that mean they shut this sucker down after they confirm this, or what?
<Channeling Carl Sagan>
No scientist will ever give you an answer because they don't know. As far as they are concerned, their curiosity on such things is all that matters.
And here comes Dr. Pizza with his typical condescending attitude to tell you how wrong you are and you'll never get it....
No scientist will ever give you an answer because they don't know. As far as they are concerned, their curiosity on such things is all that matters.
And here comes Dr. Pizza with his typical condescending attitude to tell you how wrong you are and you'll never get it....
There is a time and a place for all that...it's not like Europe is bursting at the seems with money. I want a meg lev train to get me from LA to the Bay is less than 2 hours and to Vegas in 1, but I don't think now is the best time.
Haven't they been working on this collider since the late 90's?
There is a time and a place for all that...it's not like Europe is bursting at the seems with money. I want a meg lev train to get me from LA to the Bay is less than 2 hours and to Vegas in 1, but I don't think now is the best time.
the world is always gonna have its problems so it's never the "time and place" to fund fundamental scientific research. thing is, scientific research leads to solutions, and it's not always obvious what research can lead to what solutions. almost all the technologies we enjoy today can trace their roots to some seemingly pointless research. it's served us pretty well so far.