PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Viewpoint: Yes, research in the area of high-energy physics has already led to numerous advances that have provided great public benefit, and the search for the ultimate building blocks of the universe is a fundamental part of human nature and an expression of human civilization.

Viewpoint: No, the enormous public money spent on high-energy laboratories would be better spent on scientific work with more relevance and clear applications.

The field of particle physics revolves around finding a simple, orderly pattern to the behavior of atomic and subatomic matter. Among its tools are particle accelerators that act like giant microscopes, peering into the atom, past electrons and into the proton-and neutron-populated nuclear core.

The modern view of the structure of matter is based upon thousands of experiments that showed over time how all matter could...