Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: thedoc on 20/07/2016 01:50:02

Title: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: thedoc on 20/07/2016 01:50:02

Jim Kelley  asked the Naked Scientists:
   I've heard that they Higgs Boson is what gives mass to objects. I've also heard that when objects approach the speed of light they gain mass and when they go the speed of light they have infinite mass.

How does this work with regards to the Higgs boson? Do objects approaching the speed of light draw Higgs bosons to them from around them to gain that mass? Or have I totally misunderstood this process?

Thanks

Jim Kelley
What do you think?

Title: Re: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: chris on 20/07/2016 22:44:34

This Naked Science Scrapbook episode on the Higgs will be helpful for you:

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/science-scrapbook/what-higgs-boson

Title: Re: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: dlorde on 21/07/2016 10:19:58

Quote from: thedoc on 20/07/2016 01:50:02

Jim Kelley  asked the Naked Scientists:
   I've heard that they Higgs Boson is what gives mass to objects. I've also heard that when objects approach the speed of light they gain mass and when they go the speed of light they have infinite mass.

How does this work with regards to the Higgs boson? Do objects approaching the speed of light draw Higgs bosons to them from around them to gain that mass? Or have I totally misunderstood this process?

As I understand it, it's not the Higgs boson itself that gives mass, but the Higgs field (the Higgs boson is a quantised excitation of the Higgs field). Certain fundamental particles interact (couple) with the Higgs field and this gives them mass. The stronger the coupling, the greater the mass. A particle approaching the speed of light has kinetic energy (energy of motion) that also gives it equivalent mass (mass-energy equivalence). No particle can accelerate to reach the speed of light, as the mass due to their kinetic energy would become infinite. Only massless particles (that don't couple with the Higgs field) can travel at the speed of light, and they can only travel at the speed of light.

Title: Re: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: IAMREALITY on 21/07/2016 15:58:42

Quote from: chris on 20/07/2016 22:44:34

This Naked Science Scrapbook episode on the Higgs will be helpful for you:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?board=12;action=post2

Incorrect link.  I'd be interested in the one you were trying to provide as well.

Title: Re: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: chris on 05/04/2017 19:45:54

Quote from: IAMREALITY on 21/07/2016 15:58:42

Quote from: chris on 20/07/2016 22:44:34

This Naked Science Scrapbook episode on the Higgs will be helpful for you:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?board=12;action=post2

Incorrect link.  I'd be interested in the one you were trying to provide as well.

My apologies - I have now fixed the link, which was:

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/science-scrapbook/what-higgs-boson

Title: Re: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 11/04/2017 02:08:17

Its a condensate from the energy within the higgs field , the higgs boson form from the energy field, thus they are given the mass from the energy field. Problem is with CERN is that the sums do not add up so theyre off looking for a heavier higgs boaon again (apparently there are lots o variaties of thoes too)

I stand to be corrected though

Title: Re: How does the Higgs Boson give mass to matter?
Post by: evan_au on 11/04/2017 22:09:56

7th Avenue podcasts normally have a clear explanation for the scientifically curious. Try this one:
http://7thavenueproject.com/post/80046701052/howard-haber-higgs-boson

I haven't listened to it yet - I've downloaded it to listen later.