Physics is the branch of science that deals with the study of matter, energy, and their interactions. At the heart of physics lies the study of subatomic particles, which are the building blocks of matter. These particles are incredibly small and make up everything in the universe, from stars and galaxies to the tiniest organisms. In this article, we will explore the two types of subatomic particles in physics: fundamental particles and composite particles.
Fundamental particles, also known as elementary particles, are the smallest known particles that make up the universe. They are considered to be the basic building blocks of matter and cannot be broken down into smaller components. These particles are further classified into two categories: fermions and bosons.
Fermions are particles that make up matter, while bosons are particles that carry forces between matter. Examples of fermions include electrons, protons, and neutrons, which are found in atoms. Each fermion has a corresponding anti-particle, which has the same mass but opposite charge. For example, the anti-electron, also known as a positron, has the same mass as an electron but has a positive charge instead of a negative one.
Bosons, on the other hand, are particles responsible for carrying fundamental forces between matter. The four fundamental forces in the universe are gravity, electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. Photon is an example of a boson that carries the electromagnetic force. Gluons carry the strong nuclear force, while W and Z bosons carry the weak nuclear force.
Composite particles, also known as hadrons, are made up of more than one fundamental particle. They are formed when two or more elementary particles combine to create a larger particle. Unlike fundamental particles, composite particles can be broken down into their constituent parts. The most well-known composite particles are protons and neutrons, which make up the nucleus of an atom. These particles are made up of three quarks, which are a type of fermion, held together by the strong nuclear force, carried by gluons.
Another type of composite particle is the meson, which is made up of a quark and an antiquark. Pions, kaons, and etas are examples of mesons. These particles are unstable and have a very short lifespan, lasting only a fraction of a second before decaying into other particles.
Besides fermions and bosons, there is a third type of elementary particle: the Higgs boson. It is the only fundamental particle that has not been observed directly but was predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics. In 2012, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN announced the discovery of the Higgs boson, which is believed to give other particles their mass.
In conclusion, subatomic particles are the smallest components of all matter and are essential to our understanding of the universe. Fundamental particles, which include fermions and bosons, are the building blocks of matter and forces, while composite particles are formed when these elementary particles combine. With ongoing research and advancements in technology, we continue to uncover more about these tiny particles and their role in shaping the world around us.