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It seems very strange to say that "particle physics may be done", given that are several enormous mysteries and problems in physics that clearly indicate our kn
by dwaltrip 8y ago
It seems very strange to say that "particle physics may be done", given that are several enormous mysteries and problems in physics that clearly indicate our knowledge is incomplete.
A few examples: QFT and GR are not integrated, dark matter, dark energy, the vacuum catastrophe, and so on...
One could make the argument that a larger collider is not the best way to attack these (I have no idea), but that is a different statement.
- archgoon 8y agoThe author's argument is not that there are not questions that still need to be answered; but there is no reason at all to believe that a larger collider, that we are capable of building with today's technology, will answer any of them. (This point is made explicit in the comments). If the funding for your field is predicated on building a larger collider to discover new particles; then you're in trouble. That is the sense 'Particle Physics may be done' is meant in this context.
- dwaltrip 8y agoOk, I see where the argument is coming from, thanks. I am having trouble buying the idea that without new colliders, there is nothing left to do in the field of particle physics or even with the Standard Model. But I could off base here, or perhaps my interpretation of the article is overly literal.