In the 1930s, Nobel Laureate Paul Dirac hypothesized that particles existed that only had a positive or negative charge. According to his theory, these particles would explain how magnets work. The particles that theoretically would carry a positive or negative charge are called magnetic monopoles. Currently, magnets are considered to be made of particles that hold two charges at once. For example, if you cut a standard bar magnet in half, you’d wind up with two magnets that each have a north and a south pole - not smaller pieces that each have a single pole. However, if magnetic monopoles are discovered, it would disrupt the very bedrock of physics: the Standard Model. Disrupting Physics with Magnets The Standard Model, which has been in place since the 1970s, explains how the universe works. (Simple, right?) In 2012, the discovery of the Higgs boson “completed’ the Standard Model, because it explains how matter has mass. However, the Standard Model still doesn’t cover everything: Things like the gravity and dark matter are still relatively unknown. That’s why the discovery of magnetic monopoles could be so important. Not only could it assist in explaining these facets of how the universe functions, it might also lead to potential new discoveries. Canadian Scientists Seek Magnetic Monopoles Today, a Canadian team of scientists are working at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to try and determine whether magnetic monopoles exist. This is the latest in a long line of experiments to attempt to find these unique particles. The research project, called Monopole and Exotics Detector At LHC (MoEDAL), has yet to be successful in revealing a monopole. However, as James Pinfold, Alberta professor and research lead on MoEDAL says, “A discovery is always much more fun, but it’s just as important to see what isn’t the case.” Is It Possible to Have a Magnet With Only One Pole? Right now, magnets have two poles - and that’s just how it is. But perhaps someday, the discovery of the magnetic monopole could fundamentally change how we think about magnets. Consider the electric charge: Positive charges and negative charges exist separately and are attracted to one another (it’s how static works, and why rubbing a balloon on your head is so annoying!). So keep an eye on the news - because someday, if James Pinfold’s experiments go well, a new discovery could actually change our fundamental understanding of the universe.