A Universal recipe

by: Ram Sivaraman

To understand something as large as the universe, we need to look at objects at the smallest scale. If you thought atoms are the smallest particles, there is more to learn by zooming in even further! The smallest particles that we know of are arranged and classified under the Standard Model of particle physics. All of these particles are much smaller than an atom, but fill up outer space! The interaction between these particles are fundamental in creating the matter that we observe today. There are three main subcategories in the Standard Model: Quarks, Leptons, and Bosons

U C T e μ τ

D S B

Quarks are subatomic particles that come in six different flavors: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. These quarks interact under the strong nuclear force. Together, they can create protons and neutrons.

νe ν μ ν τ

Leptons are in a sense opposite to quarks. They don’t interact with the strong force, only the electromagnetic force, the weak nuclear force, and gravity. They can either have electric charge or stay neutral. Just like quarks, they also come in six types: electrons, muons, and taus, and their respective neutrinos.

The final subcategory is the Bosons. Bosons are “force carrying particles” - they moderate the fundamental forces. Currently, we know of five: the gluon (moderates strong force), the photon (moderates, electromagnetic force), the W and Z bosons (moderate the weak nuclear force), and the gluon (moderates the strong nuclear force).

G γ W Z H

A Brief Timeline: the Standard Model in the Universe

Larger Universe!

Starting from the tiny particles from the Big Bang, the Universe is now epanding faster than ever in the age of stars and galaxies.

Atoms Combine!

The Universe is growing in size and the subatomic particles start to form atoms, some of the building blocks of matter.

The Big Bang!

All of the subatomic particles flew out and the Universe started cooling. This started forming the fundamental forces.