Author: Science Planet

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The Standard Model

Since our high school days during childhood ( 9th 10th 11th 12th), we learn that there are three fundamental particles called Electrons, Protons & Neutrons.
Electrons revolve around the nucleus which in turn made up of protons and neutrons.

Now when we go for graduation classes, we learn here about Standard Model of Particle Physics.

All of our understanding about matter is encapsulated in a very beautiful framework known as Standard Model of Elementary Particles which is a part of most famous and new field of physical science known as High Energy Physics.

The Standard Model of Elementary Particles

According to Standard Model, now there are 61 known particles which are present in this universe not just 3.

This model explains that matter is made up of fundamental particles called Quarks and Leptons.

Quark Family & Lepton Family

There are 6 types of Quarks viz. Up Quark, Down Quark, Charm Quark, Strange Quark, Top Quark, Bottom Quark. Along with their anti particles, they made up 12 types. Along with their Colour Quantum Numbers (Red, Blue & Green), there are 36 types of quarks are known today.

So, {6 Quarks + 6 Antiquarks} × 3 Colour Quantum Number = 36 Quarks.

Now comes Leptons. They are also of 6 types and they are true elementary particles means they didn’t have their any internal structure unlike proton and neutrons.

Along with their antipaticles, they sums upto 12.

So, 6 Leptons + 6 Antileptons = 12 Leptons

Now these fundamental particles interact with each other by three types of forces (neglecting Gravitational Force)

1. Strong Force
2. Electromagnetic Force
3. Weak Force

Each of these forces has a carrier i.e Mediating Particle.

Strong force is meditated by Gluons(g). There are 8 gluons in total.
Electromagnetic Force is mediated by Photons.
Weak Force is mediated by Vector Bosons : W+, W-, Z°. So, total no. of mediators = 8 Gluons + 1 Photon + 3 Vector Bosons = 12 Mediators.

Recently a new particle is detected in  2012 at Large Hadron Collider Experiment, CERN, Switzerland.
This new particle is known as Higgs Boson (The famous God Particle)

The Higgs Boson is responsible for giving mass to the matter & mediators.

Till now, Total Number of Fundamental Particles = 36 Quarks + 12 Leptons + 12 Mediators + 1 Higgs Boson = 61 Particles.

Hence, there are in total 61 Fundamental particles are known.