WHERE IS GOD? Well, Scientifically You Know—Everywhere!

Presented by Doug Linman, scientist/engineer

As we know from Cosmology studies, (the nature of the Universe as a whole) and Physics (the study of matter and its motion through spacetime), without a field of some type, all particles would just remain whizzing around the universe at the speed of light.

This field was first presented by Peter Higgs, a British Scientist in the 1960s, as the way that matter obtained mass after the universe was created in the Big Bang.  

Displayed below is an illustration of what the Big Bang theory represents in our Universe, and the field that holds everything in place for us, as mere humanoids. By the way, this field is made up of spinning and non-spinning subatomic particles which some have called the “God particles,” referencing the way that matter obtained mass. Fascinating. So let us now dive right into the fun of understanding how we are truly –molecularly speaking- became part of a living universe!

God Particle Explained

According to the Big Bang theory and the particle field presented in the picture, this represents the considered means that made the stars, planets, and life itself possible. Then, in conjunction with the “God particles” –providing mass- to elementary particles, this totality could now explain the building blocks of the universe!

The Higgs Boson or the “God particle” is a controversial particle believed to bestow mass on all other particles. Which in one context would be the particle that converts the intangible into the tangible. The Higgs Boson (God Particle) is touted as the key that explains why particles have mass and the phenomena of solidity. Physicists believe that Higgs particles generate a kind of moist ether through which other particles move, picking up drag that translates into mass on the macroscopic scale. (The macroscopic scale is the scale on which objects or processes are of a size that is measurable and observable by the naked eye!)

Are We There yet!

The reason that all this discussion is significant is because if the Higgs Boson (God Particle) does not exist in some form, then the standard model as the cornerstone of 21st century physics, expressing the birthing of our universe, collapses! So, knowing this as observed, mathematically expressed and measurable, is a very important part of explaining several things. 

First, how did we get here? How did we evolve to our current shape and abilities? Then, why is everything in our Universe simply not falling, floating away or traveling at some speed. Why is our planet so perfect for us? Finally, is there a different Planet perfect for a different life form? If we exist in our universe, do others exist in theirs or within ours?  You must admit…the possibilities are fascinating to consider!

Since particles do have mass, we know that there must be some function that generates it. So, there is a good chance that we will find that function, or in the final solution discovery process we might obtain a new understanding, certainly a major shift in perception and assumption, upon which physics is based in the future. The Higgs Boson is being actively pursued to validate our perception and assumption because it would be the manifestation of that invisible field – the Higgs field – which is thought to permeate the entire universe, surround us, go through us, and maintain us, sort of like “the force” concept from Star Wars.

While the media created title of “God particle” captures our imagination in a way that the term “Higgs boson” does not, the existence of an elementary all-pervasive invisible field is just too close to God in the religious imagination to not notice. Mystics don’t need a “God particle” to prove God. Its existence does nothing to confirm or deny the existence of a unity of all things, because such unity does not take the form of a cognitive experience but of a trans-rational experience of identity with a Supreme Reality that is all encompassing. That is, it is an experienced unity of the self “of the one” as Spock would say, with the Unique Self, which is the unqualified True Self as seen from a particular perspective. We accept this as just the way things are!

Considering the Tangible versus the Intangible

There is great debate in the collective mind regarding science, matter, spirit, God or an all pervading intelligence and consciousness. One might say that both religion and science have it backwards. Since, the real debate (religion aside) is whether the tangible gives rise to the tangible or vice versa and what role conscious, awareness, or the observer plays in the actualization of phenomena. 

The Higgs boson is a hypothetical elementary particle predicted by the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics.  The Higgs field is a quantum field with a non-zero value that fills all of space, and explains why fundamental particles such as quarks and electrons have mass. The Higgs boson is an excitation of the Higgs field above its ground state value. The existence of the Higgs boson as predicted by the Standard Model explains how spontaneous breaking of electro-weak symmetry takes place in nature, which in turn explains why other elementary particles have mass. This is what we need to grasp at this point, essentially  asking ourselves, what is the thing that takes the seemingly intangible and “creates” mass? The answer we have so far is a “field”, as explained, that excites other particles. Amazing!

Bang Bang Anyone There?

How was the universe created, according to the big bang theory? The Universe began from a singularity, infinite density created infinite curvature, due to which the classical laws of general relativity, rather all known laws of physics have no reference. Therefore, what happened before the big bang is something which nobody can answer. The age of the universe according to Big Bang theory is estimated to be 13.7 billion years.  

First Galaxies

There is evidence that shows that first galaxies were created about 500 million years after the Big Bang. Galaxies are islands of matter in the vast desert of dark space-time.  All galaxies move around in a gravitational tango around the centers of these galactic super clusters. The earth moves around the Sun, the Sun moves around the galactic center and the galaxy moves around another galactic supercluster.

Solar System

Our Solar System was created 8 Billion Years after the Big Bang as galaxies like our Milky Way condensed under gravity forming billions of stars in the process, and heavy elements were created. As stars burned and died, the heavier elements were sprinkled in the solar system through nuclear fusion and supernovae. From dead remnants of previous stars, seeded with heavier elements, newer stars formed.

In such a heavy element enriched region, five billion years ago (roughly 9 billion years after the Big Bang), our Sun, a third generation star, was born. From accretion disk of debris, around the Sun, our solar system was created. Then eventually, earth, as a planet came into existence about 4.5 billion years ago. Life and intelligence, evolved, as we know on Earth and possibly on many other such solar systems. This part keeps all of us obsessed…the search for other life forms!

What’s A Little Matter Among Friends

If you look at the whole process of the evolution of the universe, you will see that it is a series of increasingly subtler energy changes that have molded complexity at every level. Everything or action in the universe is a manifestation of energy or an energy change.  According to Big Bang is still a largely sketchy story with blank spaces, mysteries and enigmas. The most amazing thing is, throughout this whole journey is the fact that, matter has evolved to a point of consciousness, where it questions its own origin! Matter has self organized itself into intelligent life.

Contributions for this article assembly were prepared by Doug Linman, also data and time line information came from public domain Internet research, research time at the Pleasanton Library, local students and science colleagues.