What is the Difference Between Higgs Boson and Dark Matter?

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The Higgs boson and dark matter are two distinct concepts in particle physics. Here are the key differences between them:

  • Higgs Boson: The Higgs boson is a fundamental particle that was discovered in 2012 at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It is responsible for giving mass to other particles. The Higgs boson is unstable and decays very quickly.
  • Dark Matter: Dark matter is a mysterious form of matter that does not interact with light. It is believed to make up about 27% of the total mass-energy content of the universe. Dark matter is known to be very stable.

Although the Higgs boson and dark matter are not the same thing, some models suggest that there might be an interaction between them. The Higgs boson could potentially act as a "portal" between known particles and dark-matter particles. Some theories predict that dark matter interacts with normal matter by swapping Higgs bosons. If this is the case, then a collision that produces Higgs particles could also create dark matter particles. However, the Standard Model of particle physics does not include a viable dark-matter particle, and the Higgs boson in the Standard Model does not decay into dark matter.

Comparative Table: Higgs Boson vs Dark Matter

Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Higgs boson and dark matter:

Feature Higgs Boson Dark Matter
Definition A fundamental particle that helps explain the origin of mass in the universe A mysterious form of matter that does not interact with light and is connected to everyday matter only through gravity
Interactions Interacts weakly with other particles, including massive particles Believed to interact with other particles, including the Higgs boson, through weak interactions
Mass Extremely massive, with a mass greater than 114,400 MeV Composed of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs)
Role in the Standard Model Part of the Higgs mechanism, which gives mass to other particles The exact nature of dark matter remains elusive, but it is known to exist due to its gravitational effects on visible matter
Discovery Confirmed at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland Dark matter particles, if they exist, have not yet been directly detected or confirmed

While both the Higgs boson and dark matter are fundamental components of the universe, they have distinct characteristics and are not directly related. The Higgs boson is a fundamental particle that helps explain the origin of mass, while dark matter is a mysterious form of matter that does not interact with light.