GS PrelimsScience and TechnologyGeneral Science2013

The efforts to detect the existence of Higgs boson particle have become frequent news in the recent past. What is/are the importance/ importances of discovering this particle? 1. It will enable us to understand as to why elementary particles have mass. 2. It will enable us in the near future to develop the technology of transferring matter from one point to another without traversing the physical space between them. 3. It will enable us to create better fuels for nuclear fission. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A

1 only

B

2 and 3 only

C

1 and 3 only

D

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Higgs boson particle is a fundamental component of the Standard Model of particle physics. Its discovery is crucial because it validates the existence of the Higgs field, which is the theoretical mechanism proposed to explain why fundamental elementary particles (like quarks and electrons) have mass. Particles acquire mass by interacting with this field. 2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The discovery of the Higgs boson does not provide any known mechanism or technological pathway for achieving matter transfer without traversing physical space (teleportation). This concept belongs to the realm of science fiction and is not a predicted outcome of understanding the Higgs field. 3. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Higgs boson relates to the fundamental property of mass of elementary particles. It does not have a direct bearing on the processes of nuclear fission or the development of better fuels for reactors. Nuclear energy generation involves interactions within the atomic nucleus, governed by strong and weak nuclear forces, not directly by the Higgs mechanism in this context. 4. Therefore, the primary importance of discovering the Higgs boson particle is understanding the origin of mass for elementary particles.

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