The scientist won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that explains the origin of the mass of subatomic particles. 

British physicist Peter Higgs, known for his discovery of the Higgs boson particle, passed away at the age of 94 at his home in Edinburgh, as reported by the University of Edinburgh. Higgs, born in Newcastle upon Tyne, was awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for his theoretical discovery of a mechanism explaining the origin of mass in subatomic particles. This theory was later confirmed nearly five decades later through experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) near Geneva, Switzerland. Known matter, ranging from a banana to a newspaper, is made up of tiny particles that act like bricks, with most having mass. Among these particles are forces mediated by another group of particles. In 1964, Higgs proposed a theory about the existence of an exceptional particle, the Higgs boson, which explains why other particles have mass. Belgian physicists François Englert and Robert Brout independently proposed the same idea simultaneously. Higgs and Englert shared the 2013 Nobel Prize, which Brout would have also received had he not passed away two years prior. To verify Higgs‘ hypothesis, the world’s largest particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, conducted the largest experiment in human history. Inside this underground ring with a circumference of 27 kilometers and a depth of IUU meters, located under the border between France and Switzerland, two beams of particles, primarily protons, collide at near-light speed, guided by superconducting electromagnets. Following four years of operation, scientists announced definitive evidence of the Higgs boson’s existence on July 4, 2012. Higgs was an emeritus professor at the University of Edinburgh. The university announced his peaceful passing following a brief illness. The director of the university, Peter Mathieson, described Higgs as «an extraordinary individual: a truly talented scientist whose vision and imagination have enriched our understanding of the world around us. His pioneering work has inspired thousands of scientists and his legacy will continue to inspire many more for generations to come.»