Limitations of the Standard Model of Matter

This topic is part of the HSC Physics course of the section Deep Inside the Atom.

HSC Physics Syllabus

• investigate the Standard Model of matter, including:

Limitations of the Standard Model of Matter

This video discusses the advantages and limitations of the Standard Model of Particle Physics.

 

What are the Advantages?

Advantages of the Standard Model of Matter include:

• The Standard model explains the composition of sub-atomic particles and the interaction between them.

• The Standard model explains how the fundamental forces are mediated – through the understanding of bosons.

• The Standard model provides a common understanding of force and matter. It is holistic and non-contradictory.

• The Standard model has predicted the existence and nature of sub-atomic particles such as the muon and the Higgs boson.

• The Standard model is consistent with several fields of quantum physics including quantum electrodynamics and electroweak theory.

What are the Limitations?

Limitations of the Standard Model of Matter include:

• The Standard model does not explain how gravity is mediated. There is currently no experimental evidence supporting the existence of the hypothesised gravitons. Therefore, the Standard Model of Matter is incompatible with the Theory of General Relativity (whose basis focuses on gravity).

• The Standard model currently cannot explain why the mass of sub-atomic particles is greater than the sum of its constituents. For example, the mass of a proton is greater than 3 quarks combined.

• The Standard model does not explain the disproportion between matter and anti-matter.

• The Standard model does not explain the composition of dark matter, which makes up majority of the universe. 

  

Previous section: Standard Model of Matter: Bosons

Next section: Particle Accelerators

 

BACK TO MODULE 8: FROM THE UNIVERSE TO THE ATOM