Unbalanced Matter

Physicists are all about symmetry, simplicity and explaining everything in the universe. When one of these things don't hang together then it leaves a lot of scientists quite puzzled.

A puzzling observation is that there is an asymmetric property of matter - we have more matter than anti-matter in the universe. Why is that? Physicists frame this problem as CP-symmetry is broken. CP-symmetry, is the product of two symmetries: C for charge conjugation, which transforms a particle into its antiparticle, and P for parity, which creates the mirror image of a physical system [1]. Out of the four fundamental forces of physics, the weak force does not seem to obey this property. This interesting insight gave scientists the right clue on where the asymmetry may lie. Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu in the 1950s found the first experimental evidence for P-symmetry breaking in weak force reactions [2]. Her landmark work opened the doors for the current crusade to  verify signatures of CP violation.

You won't find CP violation signatures on your table-top lab bench. Rather, you need a gigantic particle accelerator to smash highly energetic particles together to observe this phenomenon. Scientists working on the large hadron collider (LHC) have found signatures of this apparent symmetry breaking. Read here for more information.

When did this unbalance of matter and anti-matter begin? Well, that answer is still trying to be experimentally verified. Current cosmologists and particle physicists believe that this asymmetry occurred within the first second after the Big-Bang. Cosmologists hunt for signatures in the cosmic microwave while particle physicists do so with particle accelerators

The mystery is still out there and we are on our way to find out why.


Here was my walk through the Wikipedia library : 
[1] : CP violation
[2] : Chien-Shiung Wu
[3] : Parity

Creativity

"Brittany, you are too creative to be a scientist." This statement was uttered by a friend of mine months and months ago. He said it to me a few times while we were hanging out during his visit. At first, I laughed it off. People tend to think I am an artist rather than a scientist. I can see how people may get that impression from my fluid lifestyle and colorful articles of clothing. I can understand how people have this impression since I do not fit the stereotypical science mold.

However, after hearing this statement repeated to me it began to resonate in my head. I began questioning this statement. Why are scientists seen as drones? Robots who are incapable of feelings, interacting with humans, smiling, doing anything but locking themselves in a windowless room solving the mysteries of the universe. Obviously, with the robot's high intellect they are essentially devoid of any creative fiber. Where did this picture come from and why is it proliferated?

I have to say that is the absolute furthest thing from the truth. Scientists are amongst the most creative creatures on earth. Scientists and artists follow a very similar lifestyle. They dedicate their lives to learning technical skills to create their picture. This effort is done to communicate the abstraction in their mind to the rest of the world. Scientists and artist can find themselves completely enthralled in their craft. They share similarities when they become so absorbed in a particular idea that they may forget to eat or sleep. That is just part of the creative process.

Contrary to scientist lore - we are incredibly social. The whole system of science caters to both the social and anti-social aspects of each human. Scientists have to work on articulating their ideas so people can understand them. They most do this in the form of spoken and written word by writing papers, giving presentations, and engaging others in informal discussions. An important aspect of the scientific balancing act is working alone to make sure you understand your work. However, that's not the only thing scientists do.

Scientists are creative. 

Scientists are social.

Scientists are fun.

image credit : sungazing.com + addicted2success.com