WHAT IS THE STANDARD MODEL?
The Standard Model is a central resource to the field of particle physics, and is the basis from which we can build up an understanding of the universe.
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Put simply, the Standard Model is a collection of information about all of the fundamental particles that have been discovered so far, including the properties which govern how they behave and interact. It's like a periodic table for fundamental particles.
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This edition of the Standard Model not only includes the basic properties of each particle, but includes every piece of known information about these fundamental building blocks of our universe.
You can download our Standard Model from the "Download" tab, and find out more about the properties of fundamental particles on the "About" page.
WHAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL PARTICLES?
Fundamental particles (or elementary particles) are the smallest possible particles which can exist. They are not composed of smaller particles like atoms, but are thought to be single points in space, each with their own unique properties.
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Everything that we know of in our universe is made from fundamental particles, even light which can be described as a quantised wave caused by oscillating photons.
So far, seventeen fundamental particles have been discovered, and several more have been predicted. This Standard Model only includes particles which have been observed experimentally.
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A common example of an elementary particle is the quark. As you may know, the nuclei of atoms are made of smaller, sub-atomic particles called protons and neutrons. These are examples of baryons: particles made of three quarks (up quarks and down quarks in this case).
COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE
The downloadable Standard Model is copyright of its creator, Harry R. A. Janes, from 2017. The use of this downloadable resource is permitted for individual and personal use, as well as for any research. Commercial use of this Standard Model is not permitted, however redistribution is allowed as long as the creator is credited.
The Standard Model, ©Harry R. A. Janes, 2017
For personal and research purposes only.