Physicists say the proposed International Linear Collider wouldilluminate the inner workings of the atom and the outer workings ofthe universe, accelerating electrons to nearly the speed of light,then smashing them into another type of subatomic particle --positrons -- to find those answers.
Electrons are particles that buzz around the nucleus of the atom.They have a negative electric charge. Positrons are similar toelectrons, but with a positive charge.
When they are smashed into each other at high energy, a spray ofother particles emerges. Studying these collisions could help clearup several important scientific questions.
Like the "dark matter" problem: There's not enough visible stuffin the universe -- stars, galaxies and the like -- to account for allthe apparent gravity. Astronomers therefore believe most of thematter in the universe is "dark."
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According to some theories, dark matter largely consists ofsubatomic particles zipping around the universe. One suchhypothetical particle is known as the neutralino. If neutralinos doexist, the linear collider should find them.
Then, there's the antimatter problem. Antimatter particles arelike ordinary particles, except they have opposite charges. LinearCollider experiments could help explain why our universe wound upwith virtually all matter and no antimatter.
A third big puzzle involves the possible existence of extradimensions at the subatomic scale. According to theory, thesedimensions are extremely small, or otherwise hidden from view.
If this theory is correct, it's possible the collider wouldproduce particles that disappear into extra dimensions. The colliderperhaps could determine the number of extra dimensions, their sizeand shape and which particles live inside them.
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