Stories with Tag CERN

• CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep

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  Posted: 2025-04-01 11:08:34

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  The CERN article is a humorous April Fool's Day piece. It satirically reports the "discovery" of quantum entanglement between sheep, attributing their flocking behavior to this quantum phenomenon. The article uses pseudo-scientific jargon and fabricated quotes to maintain the joke, while subtly referencing real physics concepts like Bell's inequality and quantum superposition. Ultimately, the article's purpose is lighthearted entertainment, not a genuine scientific announcement.

  In a groundbreaking, albeit humorous, publication purportedly emanating from the esteemed halls of CERN, researchers claim to have observed evidence suggesting the existence of quantum entanglement in a population of Ovis aries, commonly known as sheep. The article, presented with a veneer of scientific rigor, details an experiment involving the meticulous observation of sheep grazing in a pasture adjacent to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The researchers posit that fluctuations in the sheep's collective behavior, specifically synchronized head movements and seemingly coordinated changes in grazing patterns, cannot be adequately explained by classical physics. Instead, they propose the audacious hypothesis that these correlated actions are a manifestation of quantum entanglement, a phenomenon wherein two or more particles become linked in such a way that they share the same fate, regardless of the physical distance separating them.

  The purported experiment hinges on the alleged detection of "subtle correlations" between the sheep's movements, which the researchers meticulously documented using high-precision GPS trackers attached to each animal. The authors contend that the observed synchronization of the sheep's head movements, specifically the simultaneous raising and lowering of their heads while grazing, exceeded the statistical probabilities expected by random chance. Furthermore, they suggest that these correlated actions persisted even when individual sheep were separated by considerable distances, seemingly defying classical explanations based on visual or auditory cues.

  The researchers speculate that the strong magnetic fields generated by the LHC may play a role in inducing this purported entanglement. They hypothesize that the intense magnetic environment could influence the spin of the elementary particles within the sheep's brains, leading to the formation of entangled states across the flock. The authors admit that further research is necessary to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and solidify their claims. However, they emphasize the potential implications of their findings for our understanding of both quantum mechanics and animal behavior, suggesting that quantum entanglement could play a previously unrecognized role in the complex social dynamics of herd animals. Despite the article's scientific presentation, it is crucial to recognize its humorous nature and to approach its conclusions with appropriate skepticism.

  • Quantum Entanglement
  • quantum physics
  • CERN
  • sheep
  • animal behavior
  • Physics Research
  • Scientific Discovery
  • particle physics
  • subatomic particles
  • Quantum Biology

  Summary of Comments ( 15 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43545349

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  Hacker News users expressed significant skepticism about the linked article claiming quantum entanglement in sheep. Several commenters pointed out that the study measured correlations in sheep physiology, which could easily be explained by classical physics, like shared environmental factors. They argued that the article misrepresents or misunderstands the concept of quantum entanglement, and there's no evidence presented to suggest anything beyond classical correlations. Some users criticized the sensationalist headline and the poor quality of science reporting in general. A few commenters questioned the journal's credibility and the peer review process. Overall, the consensus was that the claim of quantum entanglement in sheep is unsubstantiated.

  The Hacker News post titled "CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43545349) has elicited several comments expressing skepticism and amusement, with a general theme of disbelief and playful mockery of the premise. No one appears to be taking the linked article seriously.

  Several commenters immediately point out that the article is a joke, published on April 1st (April Fool's Day). They express a mixture of amusement and mild annoyance at having fallen for the prank, or at seeing it posted seriously.

  One commenter sarcastically questions the methodology of the "study," asking about the control group of sheep not entangled and how they determined the baseline for "sheepness." This further emphasizes the perceived absurdity of the premise.

  Another commenter humorously suggests a link to the concept of "sheeple," a derogatory term for people who are easily influenced and follow the crowd, implying that the article's joke plays on this existing concept.

  Some comments express disappointment at the article being a joke, indicating they were genuinely intrigued by the title's seemingly groundbreaking claim. This highlights the surprising nature of the headline and its potential to pique interest even if ultimately false.

  A few commenters engage in playful banter, continuing the joke by referencing other absurd hypothetical scenarios involving quantum mechanics and animals, such as Schrödinger's cat being entangled with a dog. This adds to the overall lighthearted and humorous tone of the comment section.

  In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post overwhelmingly recognize the linked article as an April Fool's Day prank. They respond with a mixture of amusement, skepticism, and playful mockery, highlighting the absurdity of the premise and engaging in lighthearted jokes related to the concept of quantum entanglement and animals.

• A bestiary of exotic hadrons

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  Posted: 2024-12-20 15:29:59

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  The article "A bestiary of exotic hadrons" explores the burgeoning field of exotic hadron discoveries. Beyond the conventional meson and baryon structures, physicists are increasingly finding particles with more complex quark configurations, such as tetraquarks and pentaquarks. These discoveries, facilitated by experiments like LHCb, are challenging existing quark models and prompting the development of new theoretical frameworks to explain these exotic particles' structures, properties, and their roles within the broader landscape of quantum chromodynamics. The article highlights specific examples of newly observed exotic hadrons and discusses the ongoing debates surrounding their interpretations, emphasizing the vibrant and evolving nature of hadron spectroscopy.

  The article "A Bestiary of Exotic Hadrons" from CERN Courier explores the burgeoning field of hadron spectroscopy, detailing the exciting discoveries and ongoing investigations into particles beyond the conventional quark model. For decades, our understanding of hadrons was limited to mesons, composed of a quark and an antiquark, and baryons, made up of three quarks. However, the advent of increasingly sophisticated experimental facilities, such as the LHCb at CERN and Belle II at KEK, has unveiled a plethora of new particles that defy this simple categorization. These "exotic hadrons" present compelling evidence for more complex internal structures, challenging our established theories and opening new frontiers in quantum chromodynamics (QCD).

  The article meticulously outlines several classes of these exotic hadrons. Tetraquarks, comprised of two quarks and two antiquarks, are discussed in detail, with specific examples like the X(3872), discovered in 2003, highlighted for its unusual properties and the ongoing debate surrounding its true nature. The article explains how the X(3872)'s mass, close to the combined mass of a D and a D* meson, suggests it could be a loosely bound "molecule" of these two particles, a configuration drastically different from a tightly bound tetraquark. Similarly, the Z(4430), confirmed as a tetraquark in 2014, is presented as another pivotal discovery solidifying the existence of this exotic configuration.

  Pentaquarks, composed of four quarks and an antiquark, are another focus of the article. Discovered by LHCb in 2015, these particles, such as the P_c(4380) and P_c(4450), represent another significant leap in our understanding of hadronic matter. The article elucidates how these pentaquarks could be tightly bound five-quark states or, alternatively, loosely bound "molecular" states of a baryon and a meson. This duality in possible interpretations underscores the complexity of these systems and the need for further experimental and theoretical investigation.

  The article emphasizes the crucial role of high-energy experiments in unraveling the mysteries of these exotic hadrons. The immense datasets generated by facilities like LHCb and Belle II provide the statistical power necessary to observe these rare particles and study their properties with precision. This, combined with advances in theoretical modeling and lattice QCD calculations, allows physicists to probe the intricate dynamics of the strong force and refine their understanding of quark confinement, the phenomenon that binds quarks within hadrons.

  The article concludes by highlighting the dynamic nature of this research area, with ongoing experiments poised to uncover even more exotic hadrons and provide further insights into their internal structure and formation mechanisms. The exploration of these exotic particles promises not only to deepen our comprehension of the strong force but also to potentially reveal unforeseen connections to other fundamental aspects of particle physics, potentially even shedding light on the very nature of matter itself.

  • particle physics
  • hadrons
  • exotic hadrons
  • quantum chromodynamics
  • QCD
  • quark model
  • tetraquarks
  • pentaquarks
  • subatomic particles
  • CERN
  • high energy physics
  • nuclear physics
  • physics
  • Science
  • strong interaction
  • standard model
  • quantum mechanics
  • theoretical physics
  • experimental physics
  • high-energy physics

  Summary of Comments ( 61 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42471927

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters generally express fascination with the complexity and strangeness of exotic hadrons. Some discuss the challenges in detecting and classifying these particles, highlighting the statistical nature of the process and the difficulty in distinguishing true signals from background noise. A few commenters dive deeper into the theoretical aspects, mentioning QCD, quark confinement, and the potential for future discoveries. Others draw parallels to other scientific fields like biology, marveling at the "zoo" of particles and the constant evolution of our understanding. Several express appreciation for the clear and accessible writing of the CERN Courier article, making the complex topic understandable to a wider audience. One commenter questions the practical applications of this research, prompting a discussion about the fundamental nature of scientific inquiry and its unpredictable long-term benefits.

  The Hacker News post titled "A bestiary of exotic hadrons," linking to a CERN Courier article about the same topic, has generated several comments discussing various aspects of particle physics, the nature of scientific discovery, and the challenges of understanding fundamental particles.

  One commenter highlights the rapid pace of discovery in this field, noting how the once-exotic tetraquarks and pentaquarks are now becoming commonplace, leading to a need for more nuanced classification schemes beyond simply counting quarks. They express excitement about what future discoveries might hold and how our understanding of the strong force might evolve.

  Another commenter delves into the complexities of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), explaining that the constituent quark model, while useful, doesn't fully capture the reality of these particles. They emphasize that these exotic hadrons aren't simply collections of individual quarks bound together, but rather complex emergent phenomena arising from the underlying gluon fields and sea quarks. This commenter also touches upon the computational challenges of simulating QCD, mentioning lattice QCD and its limitations.

  A different user focuses on the naming conventions used for these particles, finding the current system to be somewhat arbitrary and lacking a clear organizational principle. They suggest a more systematic approach based on the underlying quantum properties of the particles rather than just their quark composition.

  Another comment thread discusses the philosophical implications of these discoveries, questioning what it means to truly "understand" these particles. One commenter argues that simply knowing their quark content doesn't constitute understanding, and that a deeper comprehension of the underlying dynamics and interactions is crucial.

  There's also some discussion about the experimental techniques used to detect these particles, with one commenter asking about the specific methods used by the LHCb experiment mentioned in the article. Another commenter briefly explains the concept of reconstructing particles from their decay products.

  Finally, a few commenters express general enthusiasm for the article and the field of particle physics, appreciating the clear explanation of a complex topic. They highlight the fascinating nature of these discoveries and the ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe.