8 Subatomic Stories: The amazing Higgs boson

The Standard Model of particle physics was devised in the 1960s and 1970s and tested extensively over the decades. However, there was one question that was unanswered and that is the origin of the mass of subatomic particles. A theory proposed in 1964 by Peter Higgs and others attempted to answer that question. The theory proposed an energy field called the Higgs field and a particle called the Higgs boson. It took nearly fifty years, but in 2012, the Higgs boson was discovered. In episode 8 of Subatomic Stories, Fermilab’s Dr. Don Lincoln sheds some light on this last discovered feature of the Standard Model.

** Did you spot the error? Our water molecule at 1:31 has two oxygen atoms and one hydrogen instead of one oxygen and two hydrogen! Thanks to those who caught the mistake. **

One explanation of the Higgs field
   • What is a Higgs Boson?  

Second explanation of the Higgs field
   • The Higgs Field, explained - Don Lincoln  

Why is the mass of the Higgs boson so small?
   • Big Mysteries: The Higgs Mass  

Higgs boson status 2016
   • Higgs Boson 2016  

Fermilab physics 101:
https://www.fnal.gov/pub/science/part...

Fermilab home page:
https://fnal.gov

Adam Savage photo credit:
By Genevieve - Adam Savage, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

Spiral galaxy image credit:
The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI/NASA)