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Peter Higgs and the Hidden Force That Shapes the Universe

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Manage episode 494569607 series 2737493
Content provided by Gabrielle Birchak. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Gabrielle Birchak or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode of Math! Science! History! we take a walk through the Scottish Highlands with Peter Higgs, figuratively and historically, to uncover the quiet moment in 1964 when a simple hike sparked a revolutionary idea in physics.

Discover how the weak nuclear force and electromagnetism are deeply connected by symmetry, why mass was such a mystery to physicists in the 20th century, and how the Higgs field changed everything.

From the elegance of theoretical predictions to the drama of the 48-year search for the Higgs boson, this story is not just about particles, it's about patience, creativity, and discovery.

3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How symmetry connects the weak nuclear force to electromagnetism and why that connection broke down.

What the Higgs field is and how it gives mass to particles like W and Z bosons.

Why Peter Higgs's quiet walk in the mountains became one of the most important moments in modern physics.

Resources & References:

CERN: The Higgs boson: What makes it special?

University of Edinburgh: Brief History of the Higgs Mechanism

Physics World: Peter Higgs on CERN and his career

Retrospect Journal: The Peter Higgs Plaque and Its Background

🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mathsciencehistory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/math-science-history/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@math.science.history YouTube: Math! Science! History! - YouTube Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mathsciencehistory

🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review! It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal

🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

🎵 Audio Editor: Podcast mixed by David Aviles

Until next time, carpe diem!

  continue reading

136 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 494569607 series 2737493
Content provided by Gabrielle Birchak. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Gabrielle Birchak or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode of Math! Science! History! we take a walk through the Scottish Highlands with Peter Higgs, figuratively and historically, to uncover the quiet moment in 1964 when a simple hike sparked a revolutionary idea in physics.

Discover how the weak nuclear force and electromagnetism are deeply connected by symmetry, why mass was such a mystery to physicists in the 20th century, and how the Higgs field changed everything.

From the elegance of theoretical predictions to the drama of the 48-year search for the Higgs boson, this story is not just about particles, it's about patience, creativity, and discovery.

3 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How symmetry connects the weak nuclear force to electromagnetism and why that connection broke down.

What the Higgs field is and how it gives mass to particles like W and Z bosons.

Why Peter Higgs's quiet walk in the mountains became one of the most important moments in modern physics.

Resources & References:

CERN: The Higgs boson: What makes it special?

University of Edinburgh: Brief History of the Higgs Mechanism

Physics World: Peter Higgs on CERN and his career

Retrospect Journal: The Peter Higgs Plaque and Its Background

🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

🌍 Let’s Connect! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mathsciencehistory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/math-science-history/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@math.science.history YouTube: Math! Science! History! - YouTube Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mathsciencehistory

🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review! It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal

🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

🎵 Audio Editor: Podcast mixed by David Aviles

Until next time, carpe diem!

  continue reading

136 episodes

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