Modern Physics > Elementary Particles
 DCS# 7E10.xx
HIGGS FIELD ANALOG
 
APPARATUS
black box with cardboard insert
 202-13-B2
two 5 g masses
 202-13-B1
two pulleys on table clamps
 202-13-B1
aluminum cylinders
 202-13-B1
foam landing pad
 202-01-A

DESCRIPTION
The two cylinders represent two particles, one with mass and one without.  With the black box covered, simultaneously release the two cylinders to be accelerated by the hanging masses.  One will have a smaller acceleration than the other, which we attribute to its greater mass.  Remove the lid to show that the cylinders are identical but the one with the smaller acceleration was slowed by its interaction with the Higgs field (the track with speed bumps).