Particle Physics

The branch of physics that deals with the most fundamental building blocks of matter. Much of the research is conducted in particle accelerators, which send streams of protons or other particles on collision courses with each other. The impacts produce torrents of particles and energy, many of which cannot be studied in any other way. Particle physicists also work with astrophysicists to probe conditions shortly after the Big Bang, as well as in some of the most powerful events in the universe.