In 3-4 sentences, describe how a particle accelerator works and give an example of the applications of the discoveries made with them.

A particle accelerator is a machine that uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate and collide particles at incredibly high speeds. These collisions allow scientists to study the fundamental properties of matter and energy, and to discover new particles and interactions. One example of the applications of discoveries made with particle accelerators is in the field of medical imaging, where the technology has been used to develop advanced imaging techniques for diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer.