a) Higgs boson

The confirmation of the Higgs boson’s existence in 2012 was a monumental event in the field of particle physics. The Higgs boson, often referred to as the “God particle,” is a fundamental particle associated with the Higgs field, which is believed to give mass to other particles. Its discovery at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN was the culmination of a decades-long search and a testament to human ingenuity and collaboration in science. The Higgs boson’s discovery confirmed a key part of the Standard Model of particle physics, enhancing our understanding of the fundamental structure of the universe. This milestone not only affirmed existing theories but also opened new avenues for research in physics, pushing the boundaries of knowledge about the universe and its origins.