Pivotal projects in physics

Pivotal projects in physics are major scientific efforts that have significantly advanced our understanding of the universe. They often involve large collaborations, new technologies, or groundbreaking experiments. Examples include the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN, which explains how particles acquire mass; the detection of gravitational waves by LIGO, confirming Einstein’s predictions; and the development of the Standard Model that describes fundamental particles and forces. These projects usually require substantial resources and international cooperation, and they illuminate the fundamental laws governing matter, energy, space, and time.