The Higgs Boson and Beyond

Watch The Higgs Boson and Beyond

  • 2015
  • 1 Season

The Higgs Boson and Beyond is an extraordinary journey through the world of particles, physics and the universe as a whole. The show is part of The Great Courses Signature Collection and it stars Sean Carroll, one of the most respected and renowned physicists in the world today.

Carroll takes us on a journey through the history of physics, starting with the ancient Greeks and moving through the centuries to the present day. Along the way, he explains some of the key concepts of physics, such as energy, momentum, and mass. He also delves into the minutiae of subatomic particles and how they interact with each other.

The main focus of the show is the Higgs Boson, a particle that was discovered in 2012 after a decades-long search. Carroll explains the importance of the Higgs Boson and how its discovery has changed our understanding of the universe. He also talks about the Large Hadron Collider, the machine that was used to find the particle, and how it works.

But the show is not just about the Higgs Boson. Carroll also talks about dark matter and dark energy, two mysterious substances that make up most of the universe but cannot be detected by traditional means. He explains what we know about these substances and how physicists are trying to learn more about them.

Carroll is a fascinating speaker, with an infectious enthusiasm for physics that comes through in every lecture. He has a gift for explaining complex concepts in a way that is understandable to non-scientists, but without dumbing them down. His lectures are filled with examples and analogies that make the sometimes abstract world of physics come alive.

One of the strengths of the show is its use of visuals. The producers have done an excellent job of creating animations and diagrams that help to explain some of the more difficult concepts. These visuals are not just eye candy, but integral to the understanding of the material.

The Higgs Boson and Beyond is not just for hardcore physics fans. While there is a lot of technical material, the show is presented in a way that is accessible to anyone with an interest in science. It’s a great introduction to the world of physics for beginners, but also has enough depth to satisfy those who already have some background in the subject.

Overall, The Higgs Boson and Beyond is an excellent show that combines fascinating subject matter with engaging presentation. Sean Carroll is an excellent guide through the world of physics, and his enthusiasm for the subject is contagious. Highly recommended for anyone interested in science, physics, or the universe as a whole.

The Higgs Boson and Beyond is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on January 30, 2015.

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Seasons
Frontiers - Higgs in Space
12. Frontiers - Higgs in Space
January 30, 2015
The Standard Model explains the forces and molecules that comprise us and everything with which we interact. But even with the Higgs, we can't explain the stuff that makes up 95% of the universe: dark matter and dark energy. In his conclusion, Professor Carroll shines a light on dark matter, its relationship with the Higgs, and the wonderful mysteries still ahead.
Beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics
11. Beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics
January 30, 2015
Now that the Higgs boson has been found, everything is answered, right? Not quite. Professor Carroll says the properties of the Higgs suggest that something else is at work out there. Moreover, the Higgs boson can be a stepping-stone to our exploration of dark matter, extra dimensions, the asymmetry of matter and antimatter, and a Grand Unified Theory of particle physics.
Capturing the Higgs Boson
10. Capturing the Higgs Boson
January 30, 2015
Looking for a needle in a haystack? Try looking for a never-before-seen particle in the largest machine ever built. With the LHC complete, the search for the Higgs began in earnest, and particle physics combined with probability to find the missing piece in the Standard Model puzzle. Professor Carroll describes both the exciting hunt and the key players in the amazing discovery.
The Large Hadron Collider
9. The Large Hadron Collider
January 30, 2015
If blacksmithing were like particle physics, the Large Hadron Collider would be the anvil. Seventeen miles around and representing the unprecedented cooperation of scientists worldwide over the course of years, the LHC is a remarkable achievement. Explore its construction, capabilities, and amazing promise for the future of physics.
Particle Accelerators and Detectors
8. Particle Accelerators and Detectors
January 30, 2015
Want to build your own particle accelerator? You'll need a lot of money, a lot of room, and the information that Professor Carroll shares in this lecture. You'll learn that particle accelerators aren't simply "atom smashers." They bring into existence new particles that weren't there before.
Colliding Particles
7. Colliding Particles
January 30, 2015
Once physicists established the need for the Higgs boson to exist, how did they set out to locate it? It was just a matter of bringing the particles and fields together under the right conditions. You'll see how physicists use Feynman diagrams to keep track of how virtual particles carry the various forces between quarks and leptons.
Mass and Energy
6. Mass and Energy
January 30, 2015
In this lecture, "classical" physics, as explained by Newtonian and Einsteinian mechanics, provides insight into what makes the Higgs so special. Uncover the key to the Higgs's uniqueness in the particle zoo - that even at its minimum energy state (its "resting" state), the Higgs field has a large, constant value.
The Higgs Field
5. The Higgs Field
January 30, 2015
With the basics of particle physics covered, Professor Carroll walks us through the decades-long hunt for the Higgs. You'll meet the many brilliant minds - Anderson, Englert, and Higgs among them - who determinedly set out to solve the mystery of the weak nuclear field. You'll also discover why Angelina Jolie is like a top quark.
The Power of Symmetry
4. The Power of Symmetry
January 30, 2015
Symmetries don't only apply to geometrical objects. They apply to the laws of physics themselves. In this lecture, you may feel your mind twist in asymmetrical ways as you explore how symmetry governs the known forces of nature and how it helped form a wild theory that an as-yet-undiscovered particle - the Higgs - must exist.
Atoms to Particles
3. Atoms to Particles
January 30, 2015
Now that you know what particles really are, it's time to walk through the "particle zoo" and explore the roles of photons, gluons, and quarks. Along the way, Professor Carroll looks back on the development of the Standard Model and how our changing understanding of the weak nuclear field suggested the existence of the Higgs years before we found it.
Quantum Field Theory
2. Quantum Field Theory
January 30, 2015
Toss out the textbook image of electrons circling an atom's nucleus. This lecture explores the big twist of quantum field theory: The world isn't really made of particles. They're fascinating and necessary figments of quantum mechanics created by observing the fields that fill every inch of the universe, and grasping that eye-opening concept is essential to understanding the Higgs.
The Importance of the Higgs Boson
1. The Importance of the Higgs Boson
January 30, 2015
Why was the discovery of the Higgs boson such a big deal? That's the key question that Professor Carroll tackles in his illuminating introduction. Take a fascinating dive into the world of modern particle physics and see how the Higgs is the missing piece of a scientific puzzle that helps us understand the "rules" for the universe.
Description
Where to Watch The Higgs Boson and Beyond
The Higgs Boson and Beyond is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Higgs Boson and Beyond on demand at Apple TV Channels and Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    January 30, 2015