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GianGiudice_2013X-_为何宇宙存在于刀刃之上_
So last year, on the Fourth of July , experiments at the Large Hadron Collider discovered the Higgs boson . 去年七月四日 通过在大型强子对撞机上进行实验 我们发现了希格斯玻色子
Fourth of July:n.美国独立纪念日(纪念美国于1776年7月4日独立); Hadron:n.[高能]强子(参与强相互作用的基本粒子); Collider:n.对撞机;碰撞机; boson:n.[高能]玻色子;
It was a historical day. 这是历史性的一天
historical:adj.历史的;史学的;基于史实的;
There's no doubt that from now on , the Fourth of July will be remembered not as the day of the Declaration of Independence , but as the day of the discovery of the Higgs boson. 毫无疑问 从此以后 七月四日将被人铭记 我们记住它 不是因为这天发表了《独立宣言》 而是因为在那天 我们发现了希格斯玻色子
from now on:从今以后;从现在起; Declaration of Independence:n.[美史]独立宣言:
Well, at least, here at CERN. 好吧 至少在欧洲核子研究中心是这样的
But for me, the biggest surprise of that day was that there was no big surprise. 但对我来说 那天最大的惊喜 是没有惊喜
In the eye of a theoretical physicist , the Higgs boson is a clever explanation of how some elementary particles gain mass , but it seems a fairly unsatisfactory and incomplete solution . 在理论物理学家看来 希格斯玻色子能灵活地解释 一些基本粒子是如何获得质量的 但它似乎是一个不太完整 且难令人满意的解答
theoretical:adj.理论的;理论上的;假设的;推理的; physicist:n.物理学家;物理学研究者; elementary:adj.基本的;初级的;[化学]元素的; particles:n.微粒,粒子;粒子系统;碎木料(particle的复数形式); mass:n.块,团; adj.群众的,民众的; v.聚集起来,聚集; fairly:adv.相当地;公平地;简直; unsatisfactory:adj.不令人满意的;不满足的;不符合要求的; incomplete:n.未完成;adj.不完整的;不完全的;不完善的; solution:n.解决方案;溶液;溶解;解答;
Too many questions are left unanswered . 有许多问题仍然未被解决
unanswered:adj.未答复的;无反应的;
The Higgs boson does not share the beauty, the symmetry , the elegance , of the rest of the elementary particle world. 希格斯玻色子不具备 和其他基本粒子一样的 简洁 美感和对称性
symmetry:n.对称(性);整齐,匀称; elegance:n.典雅;高雅; elementary particle:n.基本粒子;
For this reason, the majority of theoretical physicists believe that the Higgs boson could not be the full story. 从这点上说,大多数的理论物理学家 认为希格斯玻色子 并非一个完整的解释
majority:n.大部分:大多数:多数票:成年人: physicists:n.物理学家;机械唯物论者(physicist的复数);
We were expecting new particles and new phenomena accompanying the Higgs boson. 基于希格斯玻色子的发现 我们期待与之有关的新粒子和现象
phenomena:n.现象(phenomenon的复数); accompanying:v.陪同;陪伴;与…同时发生;为…伴奏;(accompany的现在分词)
Instead, so far, the measurements coming from the LHC show no signs of new particles or unexpected phenomena. 然而 就目前来看 大型强子对撞机的实验表明 并没有发现新粒子或新现象
measurements:n.测量值,尺寸(measurement的复数); unexpected:adj.意外的,想不到的;
Of course, the verdict is not definitive . 当然 这一结论并非板上钉钉
verdict:n.结论;裁定; definitive:n.限定词;adj.决定性的;最后的;限定的;
In 2015, the LHC will almost double the energy of the colliding protons , and these more powerful collisions will allow us to explore further the particle world, and we will certainly learn much more. 到2015年 大型强子对撞机 将使碰撞的质子能量翻倍 更强烈的质子碰撞 能让我们进一步地探索粒子世界 我们也一定会了解更多
colliding:adj.对撞的;v.碰撞(collide的现在分词);冲突;n.碰撞;冲撞; protons:n.[物]质子;氢核(proton的复数); collisions:n.[物]碰撞;冲突;撞击(collision的复数形式); explore:v.探索:探测:探险:
But for the moment, since we have found no evidence for new phenomena, let us suppose that the particles that we know today, including the Higgs boson, are the only elementary particles in nature, even at energies much larger than what we have explored so far. 截至目前 我们尚未发现新现象 让我们用已知的粒子 做一个假设 包括希格斯玻色子在内的粒子 是自然中唯一的基本粒子 而其能量比我们目前发现的 要大上许多
evidence:n.证据,证明;迹象;明显;v.证明; suppose:v.推断:假定:假设:设想: explored:v.探索;勘探;考察;探险;(explore的过去式和过去分词)
Let's see where this hypothesis is going to lead us. 让我们看看 这个假设会带我们发现什么
hypothesis:n.假设;
We will find a surprising and intriguing result about our universe, and to explain my point, let me first tell you what the Higgs is about, and to do so, we have to go back to one tenth of a billionth of a second after the Big Bang . 我们会发现在宇宙中存在一个令人惊讶而有趣的结论 为解释我的观点 首先 我想解释一下什么是希格斯粒子 让我们先回到 宇宙大爆炸后的 一亿分之一秒
intriguing:adj.有趣的;迷人的;v.引起…的兴趣;策划阴谋;私通;(intrigue的现在分词) billionth:adj.十亿分之一的;第十亿的;n.十亿分之一;第十亿; Bang:n.猛敲; v.猛敲; v.正好;
And according to the Higgs theory, at that instant , a dramatic event took place in the universe. 根据希格斯的理论 在那一刻 宇宙中发生了 一件重要的大事
according to:根据,据说; instant:n.瞬间; adj.立即的; conj.同"assoonas"; dramatic:adj.突然的;巨大的;令人吃惊的;激动人心的;
Space-time underwent a phase transition . 时空经历了相变过程
Space-time:adj.时空的;n.时空(等于spacetime); underwent:v.经验;遭遇(undergo的过去式); phase:n.阶段;时期;月相;(月亮的)盈亏;v.分阶段进行;逐步做; transition:n.过渡;转变;变革;变迁;v.经历转变过程;过渡;
It was something very similar to the phase transition that occurs when water turns into ice below zero degrees. 相变是非常类似于 水在零摄氏度下结冰的 一种物理过程
occurs:v.重现(occur的第三人称单数);
But in our case, the phase transition is not a change in the way the molecules are arranged inside the material, but is about a change of the very fabric of space-time. 但在刚才的例子中 相变不是物体内部分子排列 发生变化 而是时空的构造 发生了改变
in the way:妨碍;挡道; molecules:n.[化学]分子,微粒;[化学]摩尔(molecule的复数); arranged:adj.安排的;v.安排;计划;准备(arrange的过去式和过去分词); fabric:n.织物;布料;(社会,机构等的)结构;
During this phase transition, empty space became filled with a substance that we now call Higgs field. 在相变过程中 空间被物质所填充 我们称之为希格斯场
substance:n.物质;实质;主旨;物品;
And this substance may seem invisible to us, but it has a physical reality. 这种物质具有不可见性 但拥有物理的现实性
invisible:adj.看不见的;n.看不见的人或物; physical:adj.[物]物理的;身体的;物质的;符合自然法则的;n.体格检查;
It surrounds us all the time, just like the air we breathe in this room. 它一直环绕着我们 就好像我们在房间里呼吸的空气一样
And some elementary particles interact with this substance, gaining energy in the process . 一些基本粒子与这种物质接触 在此过程中形成质量
interact:v.互相影响;互相作用;n.幕间剧;幕间休息; process:v.处理;加工;列队行进;n.过程,进行;方法,adj.经过特殊加工(或处理)的;
And this intrinsic energy is what we call the mass of a particle, and by discovering the Higgs boson, the LHC has conclusively proved that this substance is real, because it is the stuff the Higgs bosons are made of. 这一固有的我们称之为 粒子的质量 通过发现希格斯玻色子 大型强子对撞机 确实证明了这种物质是真实存在的 因为它是生成希格斯玻色子的原材料
intrinsic:adj.本质的,固有的; conclusively:adv.最后地;决定性地; stuff:n.东西:物品:基本特征:v.填满:装满:标本: bosons:n.[高能]玻色子(自旋为整数的粒子统称为玻色子,boson的复数形式);
And this, in a nutshell , is the essence of the Higgs story. 总而言之 它是发现希格斯粒子的关键
in a nutshell:极简单地;简言之;简而言之;总而言之; essence:n.本质;实质;精髓;香精;
But this story is far more interesting than that. 但故事比这要有趣得多
By studying the Higgs theory, theoretical physicists discovered, not through an experiment but with the power of mathematics , that the Higgs field does not necessarily exist only in the form that we observe today. 通过研究希格斯的理论 理论物理学家发现 他们以数学推演 而非物理实验的方法发现 希格斯场并非必然 以我们如今观测到的形式存在
mathematics:n.数学;数学运算; necessarily:adv.必要地;必定地,必然地; observe:v.观察;看到;庆祝;监视;
Just like matter can exist as liquid or solid, so the Higgs field, the substance that fills all space-time, could exist in two states. 正如物质能以液态或固态存在 同理也适用于希格斯场 填充整个时空的物质能以两种状态存在
Besides the known Higgs state, there could be a second state in which the Higgs field is billions and billions times denser than what we observe today, and the mere existence of another state of the Higgs field poses a potential problem. 除了已知的希格斯场之外 第二种状态 比我们现在观察的希格斯场的密度要高出 几十亿倍 希格斯场的另一种状态的存在 提出了一个潜在的问题
Besides:adv.此外;而且;prep.除…之外; denser:adj.密集的; (dense的比较级) mere:adj.仅仅的;只不过的;n.小湖;池塘; poses:姿势; potential:n.潜能;可能性;[电]电势;adj.潜在的;可能的;势的;
This is because, according to the laws of quantum mechanics , it is possible to have transitions between two states, even in the presence of an energy barrier separating the two states, and the phenomenon is called, quite appropriately , quantum tunneling . 因为 根据量子力学 两种状态下的转化 是可以实现的 即使是处在能量屏障出现 分割两种状态的情况下 而这种现象 被恰如其分地称为量子隧道
quantum mechanics:n.量子力学; transitions:n.过渡,转变(transition的复数形式);转场效果;转换滤镜; in the presence of:在…面前;有某人在场; barrier:n.屏障;障碍;障碍物;关口;v.用栅围住; phenomenon:n.现象;杰出的人;非凡的人(或事物); appropriately:adj.适当地;合适地;相称地; tunneling:n.隧道效应;开挖隧道;v.挖隧道(tunnel的现在分词);
Because of quantum tunneling, 由于量子隧道的存在
I could disappear from this room and reappear in the next room, practically penetrating the wall. 我可以在这里消失 重新在下一间房子里出现 可以说 我能穿墙而过
disappear:v.消失;失踪;不复存在; reappear:vi.再出现; practically:adv.实际地;几乎;事实上; penetrating:adj.渗透的;尖锐的;有洞察力的;v.穿透;贯穿(penetrate的ing形式);
But don't expect me to actually perform the trick in front of your eyes, because the probability for me to penetrate the wall is ridiculously small. 不过别指望我能真的能在大家面前 表演这个把戏 我能穿墙而过的可能性微乎其微
perform:v.表演;执行;履行;演出;工作,运转(好/不好); probability:n.可能性;机率;[数]或然率; penetrate:v.渗透;进入;穿过;看透; ridiculously:adv.可笑地;荒谬地;
You would have to wait a really long time before it happens, but believe me, quantum tunneling is a real phenomenon, and it has been observed in many systems. 大家不得不在我成功之前 等上好长一段时间 但是相信我 量子隧道是一种真实的现象 许多领域都已观测到了它
observed:adj.观察的;观测的;v.观察;遵守;注意到(observe的过去分词形式);
For instance , the tunnel diode , a component used in electronics , works thanks to the wonders of quantum tunneling. 例如 隧道二极管 一种在电子工业里使用的元件 它的工作机制就得归功于 量子隧道的奇妙原理
instance:n.实例;情况;建议;v.举...为例; diode:n.[电子]二极管; component:n.成分;部件;组成部分;adj.构成的; electronics:n.电子学;电子工业;
But let's go back to the Higgs field. 让我们再回到希格斯场
If the ultra-dense Higgs state existed, then, because of quantum tunneling, a bubble of this state could suddenly appear in a certain place of the universe at a certain time, and it is analogous to what happens when you boil water. 如果超密度希格斯场确实存在 那么 由于量子隧道效应 在这一状态下 气泡会在 某一时间和宇宙的某一地点突然出现 这就好像你烧一壶水
bubble:n.泡;气泡;肥皂泡;一点感情;v.起泡;冒泡;洋溢着(某种感情); analogous:adj.类似的;[昆]同功的;可比拟的;
Bubbles of vapor form inside the water, then they expand , turning liquid into gas. 水从内部产生水蒸气气泡 然后它们膨胀 从液体变成气体
Bubbles:n.泡; v.起泡; (bubble的第三人称单数和复数) vapor:n.蒸汽;烟雾;vt.使…蒸发;使…汽化;vi.蒸发;吹牛;沮丧; expand:v.扩张;使膨胀;详述;发展;张开,展开;
In the same way, a bubble of the ultra-dense Higgs state could come into existence because of quantum tunneling. 同样 超密度希格斯场 会因为量子隧道而产生
The bubble would then expand at the speed of light, invading all space, and turning the Higgs field from the familiar state into a new state. 这种气泡会以光速急速膨胀 扩张到所有空间 并把希格斯场 从通常状态变成新的状态
invading:v.武装入侵;侵略;侵犯;涌入;干扰(invade的现在分词) familiar:adj.熟悉的;常见的;亲近的;n.常客;密友;
Is this a problem? Yes, it's a big a problem. 这有什么问题呢？ 这是一个大问题
We may not realize it in ordinary life, but the intensity of the Higgs field is critical for the structure of matter. 在普通日常生活中 我们也许不会意识到 希格斯场的强度 对物质的结构非常重要
intensity:n.强度;强烈;[电子]亮度;紧张; critical:adj.鉴定的;[核]临界的;批评的,爱挑剔的;危险的;决定性的;评论的; structure:n.结构;构造;建筑物;vt.组织;构成;建造;
If the Higgs field were only a few times more intense , we would see atoms shrinking , neutrons decaying inside atomic nuclei , nuclei disintegrating , and hydrogen would be the only possible chemical element in the universe. 如果希格斯场的强度仅仅高上几倍 我们看到原子正在萎缩 中子正在衰减 原子核将会分裂 而氢元素将成为 宇宙中唯一的一种化学物质
intense:adj.强烈的;紧张的;非常的;热情的; atoms:n.[物]原子(atom的复数); shrinking:v.(使)缩水,收缩,缩小,退缩;(shrink的现在分词) neutrons:n.[核]中子(neutron的复数); decaying:v.(使)腐烂;破败;(力量、影响等)衰弱;(decay的现在分词) atomic:adj.原子的,原子能的;微粒子的; nuclei:n.核心,核子;原子核(nucleus的复数形式); disintegrating:adj.瓦解的;分裂的;v.瓦解(disintegrate的ing形式);分裂; hydrogen:n.氢;氢气; chemical:n.化学制品,化学药品;adj.化学的;
And the Higgs field, in the ultra-dense Higgs state, is not just a few times more intense than today, but billions of times, and if space-time were filled by this Higgs state, all atomic matter would collapse . 而在超密度状态下的希格斯场 其密度不是仅仅比今天的大了几倍 而是大了几十亿倍 如果时空被这种状态下的希格斯场填充 那么所有的原子级物质都会崩塌
collapse:vi.倒塌;瓦解;暴跌;vt.使倒塌,使崩溃;使萎陷;折叠;n.倒塌;失败;衰竭;
No molecular structures would be possible, no life. 分子结构也不可能形成 没有生命
molecular:adj.[化学]分子的;由分子组成的; structures:n.结构; v.建造(structure的第三人称单数形式);
So, I wonder, is it possible that in the future, the Higgs field will undergo a phase transition and, through quantum tunneling, will be transformed into this nasty , ultra-dense state? 所以 我猜想 在未来 希格斯场是否会经历 相变的过程 通过量子隧道 转化为这种糟糕的超密度状态呢？
undergo:vt.经历,经受;忍受; transformed:v.使改变形态;使改变外观(或性质);(transform的过去分词和过去式) nasty:adj.极差的:令人厌恶的:不友好的:n.令人不愉快的事物:
In other words, I ask myself, what is the fate of the Higgs field in our universe? 换句话说 我问自己 希格斯场在宇宙中的命运将是如何？
And the crucial ingredient necessary to answer this question is the Higgs boson mass. 要回答这个问题的 关键信息是希格斯玻色子的能量
crucial:adj.重要的;决定性的;定局的;决断的; ingredient:n.原料;要素;组成部分;adj.构成组成部分的;
And experiments at the LHC found that the mass of the Higgs boson is about 126 GeV. 大型强子对撞机的实验发现 希格斯玻色子的能量是1260亿电子伏特
This is tiny when expressed in familiar units, because it's equal to something like 10 to the minus 22 grams, but it is large in particle physics units, because it is equal to the weight of an entire molecule of a DNA constituent . 如果传递能量给相同单位 这个数字很小 因为两者等于 10克和-22克的关系 但这一数字在粒子的物理单位上很大 因为 这相当于整个 DNA分子组成结构的 重量
expressed:v.表示;表达;显而易见;不言自明;(express的过去分词和过去式) minus:prep.减,减去;n.负号,减号;不足;负数;adj.减的;负的; constituent:n.构成要素;选民;成分;adj.组成的;构成的;
So armed with this information from the LHC, together with some colleagues here at CERN, we computed the probability that our universe could quantum tunnel into the ultra-dense Higgs state, and we found a very intriguing result. 在获得强子对撞机实验信息之后 我和几位在欧洲核子研究中心的同事 合作用电脑计算 我们的宇宙通过量子隧道转化成 超密度希格斯场的可能性 我们发现了一个有趣的结果
colleagues:n.同事;同行(colleague的复数); computed:v.计算(compute的过去式);adj.计算的((compute的过去分词);
Our calculations showed that the measured value of the Higgs boson mass is very special. 计算结果显示 希格斯玻色子能量的测定值 非常特殊
measured:adj.缓慢谨慎的; v.测量; (measure的过去分词和过去式)
It has just the right value to keep the universe hanging in an unstable situation. 它的数值恰好能使 整个宇宙 在一种不稳定的状态下摇摆
unstable:adj.不稳定的;变化莫测的;(行为、情绪)反复无常的
The Higgs field is in a wobbly configuration that has lasted so far but that will eventually collapse. 希格斯场就是在这样一种不稳定的设置中 持续到了现在 但它终将瓦解
wobbly:adj.不稳定的;摆动的;歪斜的; configuration:n.配置;结构;外形; eventually:adv.最后,终于;
So according to these calculations, we are like campers who accidentally set their tent at the edge of a cliff . 因此 通过这些计算 我们就像露营者 一不小心把帐篷 搭在了悬崖边上
campers:n.露营者; v.在野营车中旅行或住宿(camper的三单形式); accidentally:adv.意外地:偶然,偶然地; cliff:n.悬崖;绝壁;
And eventually, the Higgs field will undergo a phase transition and matter will collapse into itself. 最终 希格斯场 将会经历相变 物质将会崩塌
So is this how humanity is going to disappear? 所以 这就是人类最后灭绝的方式吗？
humanity:n.人类;人道;仁慈;人文学科;
I don't think so. 我并不这样认为
Our calculation shows that quantum tunneling of the Higgs field is not likely to occur in the next 10 to the 100 years, and this is a very long time. 我们的数据显示 希格斯场的量子隧道效应 不太容易在接下来的10年到100年内发生 这是相当长的一段时间
It's even longer than the time it takes for Italy to form a stable government. 它甚至比意大利 组织一届稳定的政府所花的时间还要长
(Laughter) （笑声）
Even so, we will be long gone by then. 即使如此 到那时 我们早已不复存在
In about five billion years, our sun will become a red giant , as large as the Earth's orbit , and our Earth will be kaput , and in a thousand billion years, if dark energy keeps on fueling space expansion at the present rate, 大约50亿年后 太阳将变成红巨星 膨胀程度大到地球的轨道 地球将被吞噬 而在一万亿年之后 如果暗能量继续获得补给 空间扩张仍保持现在的速率
red giant:n.红巨星; orbit:n.轨道;眼眶;势力范围;生活常规;vi.盘旋;绕轨道运行;vt.绕…轨道而行; kaput:adj.过时的;故障的;失败了的;坏了的; expansion:n.扩张;膨胀;扩展;扩大;
you will not even be able to see as far as your toes , because everything around you expands at a rate faster than the speed of light. 你会根本看不到自己的脚趾头 因为环绕你的一切 都在以比光速快的速度膨胀
as far as:至于…; toes:n.脚趾;足尖部;有…脚趾的;v.用脚尖走;(toe的第三人称单数和复数) expands:v.展开; (expand的第三人称单数)
So it is really unlikely that we will be around to see the Higgs field collapse. 所以 我们不大可能 看到希格斯场的崩塌
unlikely:adj.不大可能发生的;非心目中的;非想象的;难以相信的;
But the reason why I am interested in the transition of the Higgs field is because I want to address the question, why is the Higgs boson mass so special? 但我对希格斯场的转化 萌发兴趣的原因在于 我想问这个问题 为什么希格斯玻色子的能量如此特殊？
Why is it just right to keep the universe at the edge of a phase transition? 为什么它能正好让宇宙平衡在 发生相位的临界点？
Theoretical physicists always ask "why" questions. 理论物理学家经常问“为什么”
More than how a phenomenon works, theoretical physicists are always interested in why a phenomenon works in the way it works. 问得比某种现象是如何产生的更多 理论物理学家常对于 某种现象为何遵循着某规律而呈现感兴趣
We think that this these "why" questions can give us clues about the fundamental principles of nature. 我们认为这些“为什么”的问题 可以带来一些 自然中基本原则的线索
clues:n.(调查,研究等的)线索;迹象;(故事的)关键情节;(clue的复数) fundamental:n.基础; adj.十分重大的; principles:n.原则;主义;本质;政策;(principle的复数)
And indeed, a possible answer to my question opens up new universes , literally . 事实上 解释我问题的答案 开辟了全新的许多宇宙
universes:语义层;此生彼世; literally:adv.按字面:字面上:确实地:
It has been speculated that our universe is only a bubble in a soapy multiverse made out of a multitude of bubbles, and each bubble is a different universe with different fundamental constants and different physical laws. 可以推测到 我们的宇宙 仅仅是多元宇宙肥皂泡下的一个小泡泡 而这个多元宇宙由千千万万个小泡泡组成 每个气泡里都是一个不同的宇宙 其中蕴含着不同的物理常数 和不同物理定律
speculated:v.推测;猜测;推断;投机;做投机买卖;(speculate的过去分词和过去式) soapy:adj.涂着肥皂的;含有肥皂的;似肥皂的;圆滑的; multiverse:n.多元宇宙; multitude:n.众多;大量;群众;民众;人群;
And in this context , you can only talk about the probability of finding a certain value of the Higgs mass. 在此背景下 你只能讨论 发现希格斯粒子能量为常量的可能性
context:n.环境;上下文;来龙去脉;
Then the key to the mystery could lie in the statistical properties of the multiverse. 这一神秘事件的关键 在于多元宇宙下的 统计特性
statistical:adj.统计的;统计学的;
It would be something like what happens with sand dunes on a beach. 这就如同在海滩的沙丘上 发生的事情一样
dunes:n.[地理]沙丘(dune的复数);
In principle , you could imagine to find sand dunes of any slope angle in a beach, and yet, the slope angles of sand dunes are typically around 30, 35 degrees. 一般而言 你会猜想在沙丘上可以找到 不同大小的斜角角度 然而 沙丘所形成的角度 基本上都在30度到35度左右
In principle:大体上,原则上; slope:n.斜坡;坡度;坡地;山坡;v.倾斜;有坡度;悄悄地走;潜行; typically:adv.代表性地;作为特色地;
And the reason is simple: because wind builds up the sand, gravity makes it fall. 道理很简单: 因为 风力塑造了沙丘 重力使沙子滑落
As a result , the vast majority of sand dunes have slope angles around the critical value, near to collapse. 结果就是 大部分的沙丘 形成的斜角角度都在临近坍塌的 临界值左右
As a result:结果;
And something similar could happen for the Higgs boson mass in the multiverse. 类似的事情也发生在 多元宇宙下的希格斯玻色子
In the majority of bubble universes, the Higgs mass could be around the critical value, near to a cosmic collapse of the Higgs field, because of two competing effects, just as in the case of sand. 在大部分气泡宇宙中 希格斯粒子的能量会围绕某个临界值 这个值临近希格斯场发生宇宙坍塌 这是因为有两个相互竞争的因素 就如同在沙丘例子中提到的那样
cosmic:adj.宇宙的; competing:adj.相互冲突的;相互矛盾的;v.竞争;对抗;参加比赛;(compete的现在分词)
My story does not have an end, because we still don't know the end of the story. 我的故事没有结局 因为我们还是不知道这个故事的结局
This is science in progress, and to solve the mystery, we need more data, and hopefully, the LHC will soon add new clues to this story. 科学在发展 为找到答案 我们需要更多的数据 可喜的是 大型强子对撞机 为这个故事加入了新的线索
Just one number, the Higgs boson mass, and yet, out of this number we learn so much. 仅仅一个数字 希格斯玻色子的能量 我们就从它身上研究了如此之多
I started from a hypothesis, that the known particles are all there is in the universe, even beyond the domain explored so far. 我从一个假设出发: 已知的粒子遍布整个宇宙 更分布在我们已探索到宇宙的更远处
domain:n.领域;域名;产业;地产;
From this, we discovered that the Higgs field that permeates space-time may be standing on a knife edge, ready for cosmic collapse, and we discovered that this may be a hint that our universe is only a grain of sand in a giant beach, the multiverse. 据此 我们挖掘出 渗透在时空中的希格斯粒子可能正站在 刀刃上 随时准备宇宙坍塌 我们发现这可能是一个提示 暗示着我们的宇宙只是广袤的沙漠中的一粒 或者只是多元宇宙中的一个
permeates:v.弥漫(permeate的第三人称单数); hint:n.提示;暗示;迹象;窍门;v.暗示;透露;示意; grain:n.粮食; v.把…作成细粒;
But I don't know if my hypothesis is right. 但我不知道自己的假设是否正确
That's how physics works: A single measurement can put us on the road to a new understanding of the universe or it can send us down a blind alley . 这就是物理的发展:一个简单的测量结果 能指引我们 通向全新地理解宇宙的光明大道 或者带着我们走进一条死胡同
a blind alley:死胡同;无发展前途的职业;
But whichever it turns out to be, there is one thing I'm sure of: 但不论结果如何 但有一点我可以肯定
whichever:pron.任何一个;无论哪个;adj.无论哪个;无论哪些;
The journey will be full of surprises. 探索的旅程将充满惊喜
journey:n.旅行;行程;vi.旅行;
Thank you. 谢谢
(Applause) 谢谢