Scientific Wars and Geniuses Behind the Scenes: How Goran Senjanović Saw the World of Physics
Have you ever thought that science isn’t just a bunch of boring formulas, but a real drama full of geniuses, injustice, and battles? Get ready, because the story of one of Croatia’s greatest physicists, Goran Senjanović, sheds light on how the Standard Model of modern particle physics was born – and it wasn’t without drama!
The Mirror That Changed Everything
As a child, Senjanović never imagined that his fascination with a simple mirror, which flipped left into right, would lead him to the heart of one of the most important scientific revolutions. This left-right symmetry, discovered in his parents’ bedroom, became a key concept in particle physics.
Big Players and Big Injustice
In 1957, Robert Marshak and his PhD student George Sudarshan discovered that the weak force acts only on left-handed particles, a huge step toward the electroweak unification theory. But wait – the Nobel Prize can only be awarded to three people, so Marshak and Sudarshan were left out! Is this scientific injustice or just cold reality?
At the same time, Murray Gell-Mann and Richard Feynman were working on similar but less complete theories. Senjanović witnessed and participated in these great ideas, working at prestigious institutions like Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University.
The Road to the Top: From Split to New York
Senjanović was a hyperactive kid who loved street soccer, but also math and physics. His older brother Pavle, a brilliant student, opened the doors to science for him. Bob Marshak, the rector of City College of New York, personally invited Senjanović to New York, where he soon became part of a top international science center.
The Trio That Changed the World
Sheldon Glashow, Steven Weinberg, and Abdus Salam independently developed the electroweak unification theory and won the Nobel Prize. Their work shaped Senjanović’s approach to physics and research. Salam founded the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, a symbol of internationalism in science.
How the Electroweak Force Was Born
Glashow started work in Copenhagen, trying to unify the weak and electromagnetic forces. His project initially failed, but the idea haunted him. He introduced the W and Z bosons, massive particles that carry the weak force and give mass to everything around us. This theory revolutionized physics and opened doors to new discoveries.
Conclusion: Science Is a Battle, and Senjanović Is a Warrior
Goran Senjanović’s story is not just about science, but about people, their struggles, injustices, and genius. He proves that behind every great theory are real people with passion and vision.
If you thought physics was boring, think again! And if you have a favorite scientific myth or theory, share it in the comments – maybe together we’ll uncover another hidden drama from the world of science!
