They correctly predicted a Nobel Prize winning discovery. And no one cared.

Sabine Hossenfelder

Sabine Hossenfelder

8 min, 27 sec

The overlooked story of how two physicists accurately predicted the mass of the Higgs boson, essential for quantum gravity, years before its discovery.

Summary

  • Mikel Shaposhnikov and Kristoff Vish predicted the Higgs boson mass in 2009, which was essential for the advancement of quantum gravity.
  • Their calculation fell within the window where quantum gravity works properly, predicting a mass of 126 GV ± 2.2.
  • The actual measured value of the Higgs boson mass was 125.35 GV ± 0.15, validating their prediction.
  • Despite the accurate prediction, the physics community largely ignored their work, favoring more exotic solutions to quantum gravity.

Chapter 1

Introduction to the Higgs Boson Prediction

0:00 - 30 sec

Introducing the story of two physicists who made an accurate but ignored prediction about the Higgs boson mass.

Introducing the story of two physicists who made an accurate but ignored prediction about the Higgs boson mass.

  • Two physicists predicted the mass of the Higgs boson before its discovery.
  • The Higgs boson, as part of the Standard Model, was confirmed in 2012 at the LHC.

Chapter 2

Background of the Higgs Boson and its Importance

0:30 - 1 min, 27 sec

Describing the role of the Higgs boson in particle physics and its significance for the Standard Model.

Describing the role of the Higgs boson in particle physics and its significance for the Standard Model.

  • The Higgs boson was the last particle to be discovered in the Standard Model.
  • Physicists had a lower mass bound due to previous experiments and theoretical upper bounds.

Chapter 3

Quantum Gravity and the Higgs Boson

1:58 - 1 min, 1 sec

Connecting the Higgs boson's mass to the feasibility of quantum gravity theories.

Connecting the Higgs boson's mass to the feasibility of quantum gravity theories.

  • The mass of the Higgs boson affects the extrapolation to higher energies in quantum gravity.
  • Shaposhnikov and Vish's prediction implied that quantum gravity could work with a mass of 126 GV ± 2.2.

Chapter 4

The Precision and Impact of the Prediction

3:01 - 1 min, 6 sec

Analyzing the precision of the prediction and its lack of impact despite being correct.

Analyzing the precision of the prediction and its lack of impact despite being correct.

  • The prediction wasn't highly precise due to the difficulty of the calculation and uncertainties in particle masses.
  • Despite the correct prediction, the scientific community didn't give it much attention.

Chapter 5

Theoretical Developments in Quantum Gravity

4:08 - 1 min, 34 sec

Discussing the history and theoretical progress in the field of quantum gravity.

Discussing the history and theoretical progress in the field of quantum gravity.

  • Asymptotically safe gravity emerged as a potential solution for quantum gravity.
  • This theory suggests that quantum gravity's issues might not be as complex as previously thought.

Chapter 6

Conclusion and Reflections on the Higgs Boson Prediction

5:43 - 1 min, 48 sec

Concluding thoughts on the Higgs boson mass prediction and its implications for physics.

Concluding thoughts on the Higgs boson mass prediction and its implications for physics.

  • The correct prediction of the Higgs boson mass suggests a simpler solution for quantum gravity may exist.
  • Physicists perhaps prefer more exotic solutions over the straightforward extrapolation.

Chapter 7

Promotion of Brilliant.org

7:32 - 52 sec

Promoting Brilliant.org as a platform for learning science, computer science, and mathematics.

Promoting Brilliant.org as a platform for learning science, computer science, and mathematics.

  • Brilliant.org offers interactive courses on various scientific and mathematical topics.
  • The platform provides a convenient and engaging way to understand science.

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