Higgs boson: 'God particle' exists but what is it exactly?

Let's all put on our physics hats for a moment (stick with us, it'll be worth it): On Wednesday (July 4), scientists are expected to announce the Higgs boson -- or "God particle" -- does actually exist.

So what is the Higgs boson?

According to HowStuffWorks, it's a hypothetical particle predicted by the standard model of physics that is thought to give mass to matter -- so basically it's just how the universe was formed, no big deal.

But researchers aren't quite ready to say they've made a discovery.

"I agree that any reasonable outside observer would say, 'It looks like a discovery,'" theoretical physicist John Ellis, a professor who works at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), tells the Associated Press. "We've discovered something which is consistent with being a Higgs."

Either way, pretty cool stuff.