The Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator, located near Geneva, Switzerland. It consists of a 27-kilometer ring where protons are accelerated to nearly the speed of light and smashed together. This helps scientists study fundamental particles, like quarks and electrons, and forces, such as gravity and electromagnetism. The LHC has made significant discoveries, including the Higgs boson, which explains how particles acquire mass. By recreating conditions similar to those just after the Big Bang, the LHC provides vital insights into the universe's origins and fundamental laws of nature.