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One other point, it may clarify circular accelerators. The limiting factor of a circular accelerator is not inability to impart more energy into the protons. The limiting factor is keeping them going in a circle. The magnetic field that holds the travel path has to increase in strength as the particles go faster and get heavier. When the particles have an energy (and mass) of 7 Tev, the magnets of the LHC must be at full strength in order to bend the particle path into the 27 km diameter circle. If the particles are driven any faster, they will "fly out" of the desired circular path.

Think of the magnetic field as a string holding the particles in a circular path. The heavier the particles, the stronger the pull on the string.

Most of the energy consumed by the LHC is used to maintain the beam path.

59 posted on 03/31/2010 10:23:08 AM PDT by Cboldt

Fascinating.

I didn’t know that.

Thanks.

60 posted on 03/31/2010 10:29:29 AM PDT by Quix (BLOKES who got us where we R: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2130557/posts?page=81#81)

I really am a VERY ignorant layman about such things.

I do find it interesting, however.

Much appreciate your kind msgs.

61 posted on 03/31/2010 10:30:01 AM PDT by Quix (BLOKES who got us where we R: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2130557/posts?page=81#81)

"The heavier the particles, the stronger the pull on the string."

I knew we'd get into string theory before this was over.

66 posted on 03/31/2010 12:09:59 PM PDT by Cuttnhorse ("Peace" is that brief, glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading. (Anon))

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