Riverside Brookfield High School Clarion

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Last updated on 9-29-08 @ 9:27 p.m.
Recent experiment risks black hole

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
●Experiment started on September 10, 2008
●Could explain origin of the Universe
●Could create black hole capable of swallowing planet
●Troy Gobble Q & A

On September 10, 2008 scientists started an important experiment that could alter the universe. Protons were fired around a 27 kilometer tunnel deep beneath the border of France and Switzerland.

Their goal? To unlock secrets about the origin of the universe.

Unlocking the origin of the universe would be a scientific breakthrough that would go down in history. But if this experiment doesn’t work, there could be some major trouble. Skeptics of the experiment say that this could lead to the creation of a black hole capable of swallowing the planet.

That worries many people who fear the worst could happen. It didn’t help that recently the experiment had to be delayed after an overhead magnet caused problems in the Hadron Collier.

We tried to get some answers from Physics teacher and Science Department Chair Troy Gobble.

Have you heard about the experiment and what were your initial thoughts?

Yeah, I’ve heard of it. My initial thoughts were that U.S. citizens have two choices: build a bigger one or go take it from Europe.

Do you think it was a good or bad move to try this experiment?

Great move. If it works, then (scientists) find the origin of the universe, or more importantly (if it doesn’t) it will end the universe.

Is the world going to be swallowed by a black hole?

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Cubs possibly winning the World Series and this experiment going on in the same month. I think that with two outs in the World Series, right before the Cubs are about to win the experiment fails and a black hole swallows the planet.

What would you say to any RB student who is worried they are going to be swallowed by a black hole?

You’ll never know it happened. A little more gravity might be good for you.

--Submitted by Anthony Scianna, Staff Reporter

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