Hola! I'm Alexa Guido, a young and curious woman passionate about science. Join me on an exciting journey to explore the wonders of the universe through the lens of physics.
In this blog section, we have touched on some of the theories, fundamental particles, and phenomena of particle physics. But what exactly is particle physics? What does particle physics study? When you think about it, what image comes to your mind? Particle accelerators? Explosions? Black holes? Atoms?
Particle physics is an amazing field of physics that focuses on the smallest pieces of matter, antimatter, and symmetries, as well as the four fundamental forces of nature and their interactions. Even, it seeks to understand why the universe behaves the way it does. Fundamental particles, the [1] Standard Model, flavor symmetries, gravity, electromagnetism…This branch is not only complex but also full of excitement and mysteries!
Also known as high-energy physics (HEP), particle physics aims to answer fundamental questions about the nature of mass, energy, and matter, as well as their connection to the cosmological history of our Universe. Unanswered questions, such as the nature of dark matter, the [2] quantum fluctuations of space-time, and the quest for the unification of the fundamental forces. This is what makes this field so stunning!
High energy physics? You might be wondering why particle physics is also referred to like that. This is because many fundamental particles, like Higgs Bosson, do not typically occur under natural conditions but can be created and detected during extremely energetic collisions of particles, which is precisely what happens in [3] particle accelerators that utilize proton-proton beams.
Modern particle physics began its journey in the early 20th century as an exploration into the structure of the atom when pioneers like Geiger, Marsden, and Rutherford laid down this field, finding the main components of the atom.
But how does particle physics evolve into the form we recognize today? It was back in the 1920s when the field of quantum physics emerged to explain the structure of the atom, concluding in the theorization of the very first fundamental particle: the meson. This vital mediator particle, responsible for the strong nuclear force, was proposed by Yukawa because the nucleus of atoms could not be understood by the physical laws known at the time.
Finding experiments, research groups, or even post-undergraduate studies focused only on particle physics can be a challenge in most countries. However, nowadays, this field is becoming more and more democratic and accessible to students worldwide. I’d love to share some of my favorite resources to introduce you to high-energy physics in a friendly way:
Books:
The God Particle: If the Universe is the Answer, what is the Question? - Leon M. Lederman, Dick Teresi
Elemental particles: In search of the smallest structures in the universe - Gerard't Hooft
Magazine:
YT channel:
Quanta Magazine: https://www.youtube.com/@QuantaScienceChannel
Standford Lecture Collections
(Spanish) Quantum Fracture: https://www.youtube.com/@QuantumFracture
Please feel free to recommend anything else in the comments!
[1] To learn more about the Standard Model, visit “Have you heard about the Standard Model?”.
[2] For a deeper understanding of Quantum fluctuations, visit “Have you heard about vacuum fluctuations in space?”.
[3] For a detailed explanation of how particle accelerators work, visit “Have you heard about the CERN?”.
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