Renaming of Higgs Boson

The name “Higgs Boson” comes due to a theory predicted by a scientist named Peter Higgs and a few other European physicists. The experiments are measuring the properties of the newly observed particle and evidence is growing that this particle has all the properties of a state as predicted by the theory of Peter Higgs. Hence, it is called “Higgs Boson”. The scientists do not call this as “God Particle” which is used only among the general public.

Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose gave a theory long time ago in studying the properties of light particle which is then generalised for a whole class of particles. All particles having this type of properties are called Bosons and the theory is jointly due to Professors S.N. Bose and Albert Einstein. The other class of particles is described by a theory of two other famous scientists, Enrico Fermi and Paul Dirac and these particles are called Fermions. These two names “Bosons” and “Fermions” will remain in science.

The Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prim Minister’s Office Shri V.Narayansamy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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