| − | A '''Higgs boson''' is an elementary particle whose existence is predicted by the [[Standard Model]] of particle physics. It serves a key role in attempting to explain the origin of mass of other elementary particles of the Standard Model. Some writers believe that proof of the particle's existence will help undermine belief in [[Creationism]], [http://www.christianpost.com/news/evidence-of-higgs-boson-god-particle-disproves-religion-or-supports-creation-77752/] hence the nickname "God particle". | + | A '''Higgs boson''' is an hypothesized elementary particle whose direct existence is predicted by the [[Standard Model]] of particle physics, but proved to be difficult to observe. It serves a key role in attempting to explain the origin of mass of other elementary particles of the Standard Model. Some writers believe that proof of the particle's existence will help undermine belief in [[Creationism]], [http://www.christianpost.com/news/evidence-of-higgs-boson-god-particle-disproves-religion-or-supports-creation-77752/] hence the nickname "God particle". |
| − | It has recently been observed in nature, confirmed to 4 standard deviations by the Large Hadron Collider, and 5 standard deviations (which is equivalent to a certainty of approximately 99.9999667%) by ATLAS - particle accelerators based at [[CERN]] in Switzerland. Physicist Leon Lederman coined the term "God Particle" to describe the Higgs boson.<ref>Lederman L., The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, New York:Dell, 1993</ref>. | + | It has been indirectly observed with only a probability of certainty of 4 standard deviations by the Large Hadron Collider, and 5 standard deviations (which is equivalent to a certainty of approximately 99.9999667%) by ATLAS - particle accelerators based at [[CERN]] in Switzerland. Physicist Leon Lederman coined the term "God Particle" to describe the Higgs boson.<ref>Lederman L., The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, New York:Dell, 1993</ref>. |
| | On July 4, 2012, Physicists at [[CERN]] announced the observation of a particle whose properties are consistent with mathematical predictions relating to the Higgs boson. However, CERN has yet to definitively state that the particle they observed is, in fact, the Higgs.<ref>[http://io9.com/5923494/what-todays-higgs-boson-discovery-really-means?]</ref> The particle cannot, technically, be confirmed to exist with certainty - and therefore the best that can be said is a new particle has been discovered, the observed properties of the particle are consistent with those predicted of Higgs boson. The process now begins to determine the precise mechanism by which the Higgs boson confers mass, as its existence has been confirmed to the level of accuracy deemed necessary to constitute discovery. That level of accuracy is the "5 sigma test", that says that the probability that the discovery was a statistical fluke is less than one in a million. | | On July 4, 2012, Physicists at [[CERN]] announced the observation of a particle whose properties are consistent with mathematical predictions relating to the Higgs boson. However, CERN has yet to definitively state that the particle they observed is, in fact, the Higgs.<ref>[http://io9.com/5923494/what-todays-higgs-boson-discovery-really-means?]</ref> The particle cannot, technically, be confirmed to exist with certainty - and therefore the best that can be said is a new particle has been discovered, the observed properties of the particle are consistent with those predicted of Higgs boson. The process now begins to determine the precise mechanism by which the Higgs boson confers mass, as its existence has been confirmed to the level of accuracy deemed necessary to constitute discovery. That level of accuracy is the "5 sigma test", that says that the probability that the discovery was a statistical fluke is less than one in a million. |