The Standard Model: Introduction
B. E. Baaquie , Department of Physics, National University
of Singapore
The standard model is a theory that is based on local
relativistic quantum field theory, which explains -except
for gravity- all the experimental data.
It is based on the following principles :
- Quantum Mechanics
- Special Relativity
Both these principles have been tested innumerable times (to
accuracy of one part in a million) and so far have proved
"infallible" !
Postulates of the Standard Model
- All matter consists of constituents and of the
interaction amongst these constituents.
- Electrons and quarks are fundamental in the sense that
they seem to occupy a single point in space and hence,
are point-like : such entities are called local.
- Quarks come in many varieties (up quark, down quark
etc.) and all nuclei are composed of quarks.
- Electrons belongs to another family of particles
called leptons which includes the neutrino, muon,
etc. It is an amazing fact that all of chemistry and
biology result solely from the interactions of large
collections of electrons. The nucleus is completely
inert, and only provides a point-like charge and
mass in chemical and biological systems.
The standard model is the final embodiment of the atomic
theory, in that all matter is composed of quarks and leptons
that are held together by interactions.
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Last updated: 13 June, 2005
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