A Level Physics Notes: Particle Physics – The Standard Model
The standard model explains all observations so far made by particle physicists. The Standard Model consists of elementary particles grouped into two classes: bosons (particles that transmit forces) and fermions (particles that make up matter). Bosons have particle spin that is either 0, 1 or 2. Fermions have spin 1/2.
|
Name |
Spin |
Electric |
Mass |
Observed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Graviton |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Not yet |
|
Photon |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Yes |
|
Gluon |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Indirectly |
|
W+ |
1 |
+1 |
80 GeV |
Yes |
|
W- |
1 |
-1 |
80 GeV |
Yes |
|
Z0 |
1 |
0 |
91 GeV |
Yes |
|
Higgs |
0 |
0 |
> 78 GeV |
Not yet |
The table above lists the elementary particles in the Standard
Model that transmit the four forces observed in Nature, though the
gravition is not actually part of the Standard Model.
The
evidence for quarks is indirect as they have not been directly
observed. They are believed to be confined inside hadrons and
unobservable as single particles, except possibly at extremely high
temperatures such as could be found very early in the Big Bang.
The fermions in the Standard Model are particles that make up
matter, and are grouped into three generations.
Notice that the quarks with charge 2/3 come in a group of three, as
do the quarks with charge -1/3, as do the electron, muon and tau, and
the electron, muon and tau neutrinos. In each group, the heavier
particles are shown in the larger type.
It is not yet known why
there are three generations of particles that make up matter.
|
Name |
Spin |
Electric |
Mass |
Observed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Electron |
1/2 |
-1 |
.0005 GeV |
Yes |
|
Muon |
1/2 |
-1 |
.10 Gev |
Yes |
|
Tau |
1/2 |
-1 |
1.8 Gev |
Yes |
|
Name |
Spin |
Electric |
Mass |
Observed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Electron neutrino |
1/2 |
0 |
0? |
Yes |
|
Muon neutrino |
1/2 |
0 |
<.00017 GeV |
Yes |
|
Tau neutrino |
1/2 |
0 |
<.017 GeV |
Yes |
|
Name |
Spin |
Electric |
Mass |
Observed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Up quark |
1/2 |
2/3 |
.005 GeV |
Indirectly |
|
Charm quark |
1/2 |
2/3 |
1.4 GeV |
Indirectly |
|
Top quark |
1/2 |
2/3 |
174 GeV |
Indirectly |
|
Name |
Spin |
Electric |
Mass |
Observed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Down quark |
1/2 |
-1/3 |
.009 GeV |
Indirectly |
|
Strange quark |
1/2 |
-1/3 |
.17 GeV |
Indirectly |
|
Bottom quark |
1/2 |
-1/3 |
4.4 GeV |
Indirectly |