A particle accelerator works by using electromagnetic fields to speed up and smash particles together at incredibly high speeds. By colliding particles, scientists are able to study their behavior and properties in detail, leading to the discovery of new particles and fundamental forces of the universe. One example of the applications of discoveries made with particle accelerators is the development of medical imaging techniques, such as PET scans, which use techniques developed in accelerator research to create detailed images of the human body for diagnosis and treatment.
