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Particle physics studies fundamental particles, composite particles at the scale of protons and neutrons, and the forces governing their interactions.
Particle physics, also called high-energy physics, investigates the fundamental particles that make up matter and radiation and the forces through which they interact. Its scope includes elementary fermions, such as quarks and leptons, and bosons, which mediate electromagnetism, the weak interaction, and the strong interaction. Quarks combine into composite particles called hadrons, including protons, neutrons, and mesons, while ordinary matter is primarily composed of first-generation quarks and leptons. The field is organized around the Standard Model, which successfully describes the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions and includes particles such as quarks, leptons, gauge bosons, and the Higgs boson. Particle physics also studies antiparticles, antimatter, quantum fields, particle dynamics, and possible particles beyond the Standard Model. Experimental research uses radioactive processes, cosmic rays, and particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider, while theoretical research connects particle physics with quantum theory and cosmology. Open questions include the nature of gravity, dark matter, dark energy, neutrino masses, and the development of a more complete theory of nature.
Particle physics studies fundamental particles, composite particles at the scale of protons and neutrons, and the forces governing their interactions.
The Standard Model classifies matter particles as fermions and force-carrying particles as bosons, while describing the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions.
Research combines experimental methods, including particle accelerators and radioactive processes, with theoretical approaches based on quantum field theory and cosmology.
Important unsolved problems include reconciling gravity with quantum theory, explaining dark matter and dark energy, and understanding neutrino masses and physics beyond the Standard Model.
The study of fundamental particles, composite subatomic particles, and the forces that constitute matter and radiation.
The leading theory describing elementary particles and the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions.
A matter particle, such as a quark or lepton, with half-integer quantum spin.
A particle with integer spin that can mediate forces or represent fields, including photons, gluons, and the Higgs boson.
An elementary fermion that combines with other quarks to form hadrons such as protons, neutrons, and mesons.
An elementary fermion that does not experience the strong interaction, including electrons, muons, taus, and neutrinos.
An elementary boson associated with the Higgs field, which gives mass to several fundamental particles.
A theoretical framework that describes particles as excitations of underlying fields and explains their interactions.
The investigation of particles and interactions through observations of radioactive processes, cosmic rays, and accelerator collisions.
The development of mathematical models and predictions concerning particles, quantum theory, cosmology, and possible physics beyond the Standard Model.
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