The Higgs Boson (Listening)

For anyone who read the news today, scientists have officially discovered the Higgs Boson particle! If you still aren't sure what this thing is, take a look at the video below and see if you can answer the questions.





1) What is the lecture mainly about?

A) A field that surrounds the Earth.
B) A subatomic particle that gives matter mass.
C) A theory about how particles move in water.
D) The reason that all particles attract each other.


2) According to the lecturer, why do some particles have mass?

A) They interact with an invisible field that exists throughout the Universe.
B) Some particles interact with water more strongly than others.
C) These particles have unique properties that don't exist elsewhere in the Universe.
D) These particles are not affected by Higgs boson particles.  


3) In the lecturer's analogy, what does the barracuda represent?

A) A particle that interacts strongly with the Higgs field.
B) A particle that interacts unpredictably with the Higgs field.
C) A particle that interacts weakly with the Higgs field.
D) A particle that does not interact with the Higgs field.


4) It can be inferred that, if the Higgs field didn't exist

A) top quarks would be heavier than electrons.
B) electrons would be heavier than top quarks.
C) top quarks would become the same size as electrons.
D) no matter in the Universe would have mass.


5) How is the Higgs field similar to water?

A) They are both made up of a large number of molecules.
B) They both interact strongly or weakly with particular atoms.
C) They both consist of a large number of smaller parts.
D) The both affect the mass of the substances that they interact with.



(If you want to read more about the particle, take a look at some of the best one page answers that attempt to explain what the particle is and why it is important.)