Particle Physics: What's Your Favorite Subtopic and Why?

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I just have such an enormous love for Particle Physics, and it's really hard to find people to speak with about it (especially since I can go overboard when talking about things I find interesting)!

I'll start this off by saying that elementary particles and their interactions are some of the most fascinating to me, and I'll often find myself thinking of everything around me as just interactions of particles and different trajectories. I mean, obviously there are other things at hand, but wow. Blows ones mind, you know?

Feel free to gush, because I think it'd be gorgeous to hear if anyone else finds particles/physics/etc to be just as fantastic as I find them to be! Also, I'd love to learn new info. Let this be a learning-sponge post. hahah

What is the quantum vacuum made of?

Heisenberg is driving down the road when he is pulled over by a cop.

Officer: "Do you know how fast you were going?"

Heisenberg: "No sir, but I know exactly where I am!"

Humanaut: If you don't just mean that as a rhetorical question that you think of often, then I couldn't really give you the best answer to that one! haha I'm not as well read on quantum field theory as I should be, but from what I can see, there's a lot of theoretical/hypothetical particles and interactions going on. I mean, apparently some people view the quantum vacuum as being a lack of physical particles and therefore mass-given particles, but I can't really believe them there, seeing as how a complete "vacuum" of "nothing" would be basically impossible and quite unstable. I mean, without a specific given measure of mass (such as the Higgs field provides), the entire Universe would cease to exist! I would expect there to be such paradoxical parallels to a vacuum filled with mass-less "nothing". I could be so completely wrong, though, so I definitely need to research this more.
Fantastically interesting subject, and thanks for illuminating me to it! :)


ripped: Hahah omg, I haven't heard that one before! That's actually really cute.

As far as I'm concerned, nothing doesn't exist. It simply isn't, and I don't think we will ever find it.

Totally agree with you. People must find the idea so fascinating because it's seemingly unobtainable--it's like the ultimate challenge to discover an impossible thing. It's probably more like a brain exercise, to some academicians. Comparing the idea of the vacuum to glass really makes sense, though, especially since glass is one of those cool amorphous structures.

And ah! I see that what you have quoted is from a book I should definitely read. Robert B. Laughlin is a total Physics babe. such a cool guy

Boosting the force of empty space
http://phys.org/news/2014-07-boosting-space.html

Scientists create light from vacuum
http://phys.org/news/2011-11-scientists ... .html#nRlv

Physicists succeed in revealing the scaling behavior of exotic giant molecules
http://phys.org/news/2014-07-physicists ... .html#nRlv

Like Magic! Tiny Particles Can Pass Through Long-Distance Barriers
http://news.yahoo.com/magic-tiny-partic ... 13661.html

Scientists confirm existence of elusive 117th element
http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/3/567657 ... th-element

AspergianMutantt: OMG. You have supplied a veritable smorgasbord of intellectual delights! I am beyond pleased yet also somewhat chagrin, since I should have known about these sooner *0*

In related news, if anyone has an iPhone/iPad, there's this super cool app called AZParticles, and it describes and links all the major (and many of the minor) points of particle physics. It's also free, from what I can remember! I definitely suggest checking it out for a spin (or 1/2. ahah. lepton humor)

Glad your happy with it, had to keep my self from going overboard, I have hundreds of these kinds of links.

On another thread I left some news links, instead of me giving you all my back article links it would be better to introduce your self to some of those news links. keeping up with whats newest news is best because modern theory is always being tested.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postxf263366-0-15.html

Just to note, if you really want to get the most out of the articles, when they reference who did or done or discover what, Google them for more information. it also helps thin out the quack jobs and false reports, and verify others, as well helps you get more of an in-depth understanding of what their doing. university and collage news and forums are a must to join and visit as well. whats really nice is scientific news journals, but most of them charge.

Haha, I know that feeling; I have thousands of carefully sorted bookmarks dedicated to anything from Paleontology and all STEM fields to bird videos. I have so many links that I've just taken to giving them out as "presents" to some of my friends. I think a catch phrase of mine is now "have a bird video", or "partake in a particle". Thankfully they just think I'm being eccentric and nice, which are indeed accurate descriptions.

I checked up on your links though, and I was pleased to see that I have many of them saved on my iPhone, but that even more of them were new! Speaking of college news and forums, I've really wanted to join an "IRL" group along those lines, but I'd need to wait until I transferred over to an actually pleasant University. I'm currently at a Community College to save on cash, and the people here are so... depressingly uninterested in everything. Thankfully I'll be off at a great Uni by Spring, and I'll get all the STEM info I want! I can't wait to discuss everything science with the professors there! eee
Thank you again for all the recommendations and advice :)

Oh, and if anyone ever does need some Paleontology or bird videos/links, I've got you covered ;)