Quiz: Higgs Boson: The Particle That Gives Mass to the Universe

Question 1

What is the primary function of the Higgs boson in the Standard Model of particle physics?

Accepted Answer

To give mass to subatomic particles

Answer

To mediate the force of gravity

Answer

To determine the color charge of particles

Answer

To facilitate nuclear fusion in stars

Question 2

In which year was the Higgs boson discovered?

Accepted Answer

2012

Answer

1989

Answer

2008

Answer

2001

Question 3

Which of the following particles does NOT interact with the Higgs field?

Accepted Answer

Photon

Answer

Electron

Answer

Quark

Answer

W boson

Question 4

The Higgs field is thought to:

Accepted Answer

Be uniformly distributed throughout the universe

Answer

Repel matter away from itself, causing expansion of the universe

Answer

Only exist within the core of particles

Answer

Vanish at high energies

Question 5

What would happen to the mass of particles if the Higgs field did not exist?

Accepted Answer

Particles would have no mass

Answer

All particles would have the same mass

Answer

Only protons would have mass

Answer

Mass would be determined solely by particle size

Question 6

The Higgs boson is associated with which type of symmetry breaking?

Accepted Answer

Electroweak symmetry breaking

Answer

Electromagnetic symmetry breaking

Answer

Strong force symmetry breaking

Answer

Cosmic symmetry breaking

Question 7

Which particle collider is most famous for the discovery of the Higgs boson?

Accepted Answer

Large Hadron Collider

Answer

Tevatron

Answer

Stanford Linear Accelerator

Answer

Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Question 8

Why is the Higgs boson often referred to as the "particle that gives mass to the universe"?

Accepted Answer

Because its discovery confirmed the existence of the Higgs field, which gives mass to other particles

Answer

Because it is the only particle that has mass

Answer

Because it is the heaviest known particle

Answer

Because it can change mass into energy