Support materials only that illustrate some possible contexts for exploring Science as a Human Endeavour concepts in relation to Science Understanding content.
The Higgs boson particle was predicted in the early 1960s by the Standard Model of particle physics. Evidence for the Higgs boson particle would confirm the existence of the Higgs field and help to explain why fundamental particles have mass. Discovery of the particle would guide other theories and discoveries in this field, including validation of the Standard Model, and insights into cosmic inflation and the cosmological constant problem (ACSPH123). Production of the Higgs boson requires an extremely powerful particle accelerator. The Large Hadron Collider at CERN was built to test particle physics theories, and specifically to try to produce and detect the Higgs boson particle. Since the commencement of its operation, previously unobserved particles have been produced (ACSPH123) and most recently a new particle has been observed that is consistent with the theorised Higgs boson particle.
Particle accelerators propel charged particles to high speeds using a combination of electric and magnetic fields. High-energy particle accelerators are used in particle physics research to create and observe particles. These machines have gradually increased in size, complexity and in their ability to accelerate particles to higher speeds, thus increasing scientists’ ability to observe new particles (ACSPH122). More practical uses of particle accelerators include their use in production of radioisotopes for medical treatments and as synchrotron light sources. The construction of the Australian Synchrotron involved collaboration between Australian and New Zealand science organisations, state and federal governments and international organisations and committees including the International Science Advisory Committee and the International Machine Advisory Committee (ACSPH127).
The Big Bang Theory describes the early development of the universe including the formation of subatomic particles from energy and the subsequent formation of atomic nuclei. There is a variety of evidence that supports the Big Bang Theory including Cosmic Background Radiation, the abundance of light elements and the red shift of light from galaxies that obey Hubble’s Law. Alternate theories exist including the Steady State theory, but the Big Bang Theory is the most widely accepted theory today (ACSPH123). There is opposition to this theory in both scientific and religious communities due to its inability to explain what came before the singularity and because it cannot explain all aspects of the universe as it exists today (ACSPH124).