A particle accelerator is a scientific instrument that uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate and manipulate charged particles, such as protons or electrons, to very high speeds. The particles are then directed into collisions with target particles or other particles in a vacuum, allowing scientists to study the resulting interactions and reactions. An example of an application of particle accelerators is the discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which helps scientists understand the origin of mass and the fundamental forces of nature.
