Science - Standard Model

 

The Standard Model is a theory of fundamental particles and how they interact. It does not, as yet, include gravity.  Developed initially in the 1970's, it is a well established theory applicable over a wide range of conditions, and experiments have shown it to be incredibly accurate.  The following sections describe the particles and forces included in the Standard Model.  The model predicted seven of these particles prior to their discovery.  All of these particles have been identified experimentally except the Higgs Boson and the Graviton.  The Standard Model does not take account of gravity, and that subject forms the next section.  To the right there is a video that summarizes the Standard Model, and describes how the particles and forces we have today came into being. 

The Standard Model is a point particles theory; that is, it envisages particles as dimensionless dots.  This is fundamentally at odds with much recent work in the field; particularly Superstring and M Theories.  To date, all attempts to merge any point particle theory with general relativity has resulted in failure as the results become plagued with infinities. 

Standard Model Video

Introduction