Mmastodon TechnologyTechnology first seen 23 h ago, last 53 min ago, peak #1

Could false vacuum decay end the Universe without warning?

Original: Could false vacuum decay end the Universe without warning? If the Higgs field is metastable, quantum tunneling could in

Physicists and science communicators are discussing false vacuum decay, the idea that if the Higgs field is metastable, quantum tunneling could produce a lower-energy vacuum bubble expanding at near light speed, destroying everything without warning. Those sharing the topic stress it is serious theoretical physics grounded in measurements of the Higgs boson, not a prediction of imminent doom. The scenario remains speculative but follows from the Standard Model's current picture of the vacuum.

Why now: The startling idea that the Universe could end instantly and unpredictably naturally attracts attention, especially around popular physics discussions of the Higgs field.

Higgs fieldfalse vacuum decayStandard Model

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Evidence

• Could false vacuum decay end the Universe without warning? If the Higgs field is metastable, quantum tunneling could in principle create a lower-energy vacuum bubble expanding near light speed. It is serious theoretical physics — not a prediction of imminent doom. https://www.… · nexthorizon · 4

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