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WHAT IS THE STANDARD MODEL?

The Standard Model is a model that both describes three of the four known forces of nature and classifies all known elementary particles. This model has successfully explained the majority of experimental results in particle physics. The Standard Model was also able to accurately predict a variety of future discoveries. Through rigorous experimentation, the Standard Model has become recognized as well-tested and accurate physics theory. This model, however, is not complete. While it is the currently the best description for the subatomic world, it is missing pieces. Theses missing pieces are a big part of what the LHCb studies.


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THE STANDARD MODEL
                                               
MATTER PARTICLES 

Matter particles are the fundamental building block for all matter. These types of particles are separated into two different categories, electrons and leptons. Both groups consist of six particles. Particles in both of these categories are grouped pairs, often referred to as generations. The first generation is made of the lightest and most stable particles. The second and third generations are made of larger and less stable particles. The particles in the second and third generations are short-lived and decay into more stable particles. As a result, all stable matter is made of particles from the first generation.


                                                                           
FUNDAMENTAL FORCES

There are four known fundamental forces: the strong force, the weal force, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force. All four forces have different strengths and work at various ranges. The weak and strong forces work at very close ranges, and only effect the subatomic world. The strong force binds together quarks to make protons and neutrons. The electromagnetic force has an infinite range and consists of vibrating electric and magnetic fields. The gravitational force has an infinite range and is the weakest of all the forces. Though gravity is a fundamental force of nature it is not included in the Standard Model as it is not mathematically compatible with the model.


                                           
BOSONS    

The three fundamental forces described by the Standard Model are carried by the exchange of force-carrier particles from a group called bosons. The exchange of bosons between matter particles allows the transfer of discrete amounts of energy. The strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces all have a corresponding bosons that carry them. The strong force the gluon, the weak force has the Z and W bosons, and the electromagnetic force is carried by photons.


      


                
THE STANDARD MODEL AND THE LHCB

Through rigorous experimentation, the Standard Model has become recognized as well-tested and accurate physics theory. This model, however, is not complete. While it is the currently the best description for the subatomic world, it is missing pieces. Theses missing pieces are a big part of what the LHCb studies.