Does anyone have any information on the CERN particle accelerator?

Question

I was talking to my 9th grade science teacher, and she explained a little bit about the CERN particle accelerator. She said a group of Swedish scientists are trying to see if two 250 ton magnets can collide at the speed of light? I don't know much about it, but I know there's a 0.001% chance that it will create a black hole in which we will have ourselves a Dooms Day.

Would anyone like to add a little more to that?

Answer 1

Either you really weren't listening in that science class or your teacher needs to reconsider her career! As Dr R said, it's tiny particles being accelerated to just about the speed of light, and then colliding into each other (not a target, but that was a better explanation than colliding magnets). There is not a 0.001% chance it will destroy the world.

There are a few Swedish scientists working on it, but people at CERN come from all around the world, mainly Europe.

Answer 2

No, no, no. The magnets don't even move. They keep the particles traveling in a arc by applying a lateral force. That makes them go in a big circle (kilometers). They pick up a little speed each pass when they travel through an accelerator region, until they're going real fast. Then they hit a target. Listen to NPR so linked below for more.

Don't worry too much about destroying the earth. A "blue ribbon panel of experts" was commissioned to reassure everyone that this would not happen. They used false logic like "If it could destroy the earth we probably wouldn't be here now because of similar natural collisions in the past".  I mean, what does non-unity odds of us being here even mean? Their arguments were nonetheless very persuasive and a  judge has dismissed remaining doubters' concerns based on legal technicalities. Besides, if it did destroy the earth, it would probably happen too fast for you to even notice it. So, like I said, don't worry :-)