What is the Standard Model of Particle Physics?
•The Standard Model of particle physics is a theoretical framework
that describes the fundamental particles and their interactions.
•It can make predictions that match experiments to one part in 10
billion.
•The Standard Model explains the Sun’s glow, the inner workings of
computers, and every atom that makes up our bodies.
How?
It divides the fundamental particles into two types:
1. Fermions: These are the building blocks of matter and include
quarks and leptons.
2. Bosons: These are the force carriers that mediate interactions.
Fermions
Fermions are the particles with spin ½. They are special
because they obey the Pauli Exclusion Principle which states
that particles can’t have same energy state.
Fermions are of two types:
Quarks Leptons
Quarks participate in strong Leptons do not have any
interactions as they are color color change. Electron, Muon
charge. They also interact via and Tau interact via
electromagnetic force and electromagnetic and weak
weak force due to presence forces both. While Neutrinos
of electric charge and isospin. only via weak.
There are 3 generations of There are 3 generations of
quarks: leptons:
1. Up & Down Quarks 1. Electron and Electron
They make up nucleus Neutrino
and are most stable. 2. Muon and Moun
2. Charm & Strange Quarks Neutrino
3. Top and Bottom Quarks 3. Tau and Tau Neutrino
The 2nd and 3rd generations The Muons and Tau are very
can be found only in high unstable and have very short
energy environment and are life.
highly unstable. All neutrinos are very stable
but are very hard to observe.
More To Know – Muon Paradox
Do you know muons (µ-) are produced
in our atmosphere, 15-30km from
ground when protons hit carbon or
beryllium atoms. This releases pions
which decay into muons and neutrinos.
These muons are highly unstable and
have an average lifespan of about 2.2
microseconds! These particles travel
with speeds near to the speed of light.
Muons should decay about 660m from
their origin considering their speeds
and lifespan but are still detected on
ground. This is the muon paradox. The
solution arises from Einstein’s theory of
Special relativity. This gives birth to time
dilation and length contraction.
Simplified, this means that the faster
you are moving the slower the time
moves for you and the shorter space
gets for you. This arises from the fact
that space and time are same which
arose from Einstein’s theory of
relativity. Due to this, for muons, the
distance they have to travel is shorter
and time is slower for them which
results in them being able to reach the
ground and be detected.
Bosons
Bosons are the particles with spin 1. They do not follow Pauli
exclusion principle so theoretically do not have limit on
spatial density. These bosons have emerged via various
symmetries of nature which are called Guage Symmetries.
Bosons are of two types:
Guage Bosons
The guage bosons are the force carriers that mediate strong,
weak and electromagnetic fundamental interactions. The
fermions exchange these bosons which result in forces at
macroscopic level.
There are 5 Guage bosons:
1. Photon: Photon is the carrier of electromagnetic force
between electrically charged particles. It is massless.
2. W+ and W- Boson: They are the carriers of weak force.
They only interact with left handed particles and right
handed antiparticles. They also carry +1 or -1 electrical
charge. They have mass.
3. Z Boson: It is also a carrier of weak force bot do not have
electrical charge. It is more massive than W bosons.
4. Gluons: Gluons are the carriers of strong force between
particles having color charge. They also interact among
themselves as they also have color charge. There are 8
types of gluons. They are also massless.
Scaler Boson or Higgs Boson
The Higgs boson is an excitation in Higgs field. Higgs field
permeates whole universe and gives mass to all elementary
particles, except photons and gluons. This Higgs mechanism
(Process of how particles acquire mass) explains why W and Z
bosons have mass while photon don’t.
The Higgs boson was theorized by Peter Higgs in 1964.
Higgs boson is a particle having zero spin i.e., no intrinsic spin.
The mass of Higgs Boson is 125.35 Giga electron-volts which is
about which is about 130 times heavier than a proton.
The Higgs boson was discovered in 2012 at CERN, Switzerland
during an experiment in Large Hadron Collider.
Limitations of Standard Model of Particle
Physics
Standard model even after being the most accurate model of
our universe that human civilization have, is not flaw free as:
1. Exclusion of Gravity: It does not
include gravity, one of the four
fundamental forces of our universe.
Gravity as described in general
relativity is incompatible with standard
model.
2. Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The
standard model does not account Dark
matter and Dark energy which are
thought to be making 95% of universe.
3. Neutrino Masses: Standard model
theorize neutrinos to be massless but
scientists have found that the three
neutrinos oscillate, or transform into
one another, as they move. This feat is
only possible because neutrinos are
not massless after all.
4. Matter – Antimatter Asymmetry: The
Standard Model does not fully explain
why there is more matter than
antimatter in the universe.
POEM
In the quantum realm, where mysteries reside,
The standard model's truths we seek to guide.
Particles dance in fields unseen,
A subatomic ballet, the universe's machine.
Quarks bind in triplets, strong force prevails,
Gluons exchange, the strong tale unveils.
Up, down, strange, charm, beauty, truth,
Flavors of quarks, in nature's booth.
Electrons, muons, tau leptons' embrace,
Weak force at play in a delicate chase.
Exchange of W and Z, the carriers' role,
Uniting the forces, a harmonious whole.
Photon's dance with grace, electromagnetic might,
Binding atoms, creating day and night.
Bosons and fermions, a cosmic ballet,
In the realm of particles, they sway and sway
Let’s Laugh! -- Jokes
1. Why did the photons refuse to check a suitcase at the
airport? Because it was traveling light!
2. Why did the electron go to therapy? It had too many
negative thoughts.
3. Why do physicists are terrible baseball players? Because
when they hit the ball, they can't be sure of its position
and velocity at the same time!
4. Why do neutrinos never get invited to parties? Because
they're always passing through without interacting!
5. Why did the quantum chicken cross the road? To lay
eggs on both sides simultaneously!
