6
$\begingroup$

Higgs Boson (messenger particle of Higgs field) accounts for inertial mass, not gravitational mass.

So, how could it account for formation of universe as we know it today? I think, gravity accounts for such formations.. not inertia.

Is there a relation between both in Standard Model? Or, is there another way with which Higgs Boson contributed in the formation of everything?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
20
$\begingroup$

From here:

Higgs is an atheist, and is displeased that the Higgs particle is nicknamed the "God particle", because the term "might offend people who are religious".Usually this inappropriate nickname for the Higgs boson is attributed to Leon Lederman, the author of the book The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?, but the name is the result of the insistence of Lederman's publisher: Lederman had originally intended to refer to it as the "goddamn particle".

So, originaly it was "goddamn" particle. And it is publishers to be blamed.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Enter the world of marketing.. :) $\endgroup$
    – Earth is a Spoon
    Commented Jul 4, 2012 at 16:25
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… where it seems that it was not only Goddam particle but also that God particle was deliberate $\endgroup$
    – anna v
    Commented Jul 4, 2012 at 19:36
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I think he was kidding about "goddamn particle" (mostly)... but still, yeah, it comes from the book. Which is an excellent read, by the way, I highly recommend it for laypeople and experts alike. $\endgroup$
    – David Z
    Commented Jul 5, 2012 at 3:13
10
$\begingroup$

The term "God Particle" is used only by journalists. It's a wholly inappropriate term and I'd be very surprised if any physicist used it (outside of the lower end popular science TV programmes).

General Relativity tells us that inertial and gravitation mass is the same thing. The Standard Model isn't going to say anything directly about gravitational mass since it doesn't include gravity.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
7
$\begingroup$

The reason Leon Lederman made up the name "God particle" is because anything with "God" in it sells books. So he called the Higgs the God particle, to sell books. The term didn't catch on, but he sold a lot of books.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • 4
    $\begingroup$ Leon may or may not have coined the term, but he did not like it as the title of his book--his publisher insisted--and has said so many times in public. $\endgroup$
    – dmckee --- ex-moderator kitten
    Commented Jul 4, 2012 at 18:23
  • $\begingroup$ I don't think he was doing anything bad by calling it that, but it's a weird name. The book title is a little silly, but it did sell reasonably if I remember. $\endgroup$
    – Ron Maimon
    Commented Jul 5, 2012 at 1:54

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.