Where Rap and Physics Collide

Two beams of protons swing round;

Through the ring, they ride;

’Til in the hearts of the detectors;

They’re made to collide!

Who says rap and particle theory don’t mix? A YouTube rap-video tour of the Large Hadron Collider by European Organization for Nuclear Research staff science writer Kate McAlpine, 23, [top] drew more than 3.5 million views in September, the month that it—and the supercollider—debuted. ”Besides the fun of making a physics rap, I wanted something with good science content and no swear words, so teachers could use it in their classrooms,” McAlpine says. ”A few scientists think rap is an inappropriate medium for discussing science. But they’re mostly happy because it’s mostly accurate.”