Scientists say "I dont know" to a LHC question.

[no1_vern]

Sometimes its the -fantastic- questions that stump or best and brightest. The question is:What happens if you put your hand in the beam of the Large Hadron Collider?

Rest of the story here: Don’t cross the LHC stream! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

It’s complicated! You have to think about the energy of the beam, of course, but also the energy of a given proton as it moves at 99.9999% the speed of light. But that number doesn’t mean anything if the proton doesn’t actually interact with the matter in your hand, so you have to consider the "cross-section" of the atoms in your hand. Think of it this way: if you shoot a gun at a target, you make a hole. But if you shoot a gun at a fishing net, it might pass right through. Most of the area of a fishing net is holes! The nuclei of atoms are very small compared to the atoms themselves, so in a sense most of you is empty space.

And there’s more. The beam of the LHC is in a small tube that’s a high-grade vacuum — getting your hand in there would be tough. And there’s a magnetic field of ferocious strength there, so I hope you don’t have any metal bits in you. And there are actually two beams going in opposite directions.

Aside from the actual physical problems of getting your hand INTO the LHC, would you put it in? What do you think would happen??

[Creatures]

what happens is pretty clear, how it affects your hand is just open for guessing. same as the question will you explode or freeze first exposed to outer space.

Creatures

[osprey4]

As a scientist, my answer is unequivocal: You go first.

[SiliconJon]

It's quite obvious: I'll turn into a super hero.

[Chuckiechan]

Stick a monkey in there and find out.

[nickslick74]

Hulk powers here I come!

[osprey4]

Stick a monkey in there and find out.

Chuckie, that would be cruel and inhumane.

I suggest we use a lawyer.

[SiliconJon]

I don't know if I like the idea of most lawyers with super powers...

[Chuckiechan]

I suggest we use a lawyer.

Their skin is too thick!

[GroundZero3]

Those explanations blew my mind lol

[pickel]

Stick a monkey in there and find out.

I think "Creatures' would be the "Perfect" Guinea Pig.