Particle theory proposes that matter is made up of tiny particles in constant motion. John Dalton proposed the atom as a fundamental particle, but it was later discovered that there are even smaller particles. The standard model deals with three of the four known interactions and predicts the Higgs boson. Particle theory helps classify the three main states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
Particle theory is an incredibly popular theory of matter, essentially arguing that matter is made up of tiny particles that are in constant motion. Particle theory is the domain of particle physics, also known as high-energy physics, because many of the fundamental particles are not generally found in nature, but can be generated by creating very high-energy interactions between particles.
The predecessor of modern particle theory dates back to ancient Greece, when 6th century BC philosophers argued that there were fundamental particles of matter. For thousands of years after this, however, particle theory faded out across much of the world, with various other theories appearing. In the 6th century, however, it made a comeback, with a scientist named John Dalton proposing a fundamental, indivisible particle that made up all matter. He called this particle the atom, from the Greek word meaning indivisible.
By the late 19th century it had become apparent, however, that the atom was not, in fact, indivisible and that there were even smaller particles that made up the atom. During the 19th century and into the 20th century, these particles were split and new high-energy particles were discovered. The discovery of these particles helped refine and expand the nature of particle physics, and much of the work being done today has to do with generating new particles to observe. This is done by creating very high-energy interactions in particle accelerators, where particles are hurled at each other at incredibly high speeds, essentially breaking apart into their constituent pieces and releasing rapidly dissipating energetic particles.
The working model of particle theory at this time is known as the standard model. The Standard Model, while not a true Unifying Theory, comes remarkably close. It deals with three of the four known interactions: the electromagnetic, strong and weak forces. It fails to deal with gravitational force, making it incomplete, but still allows for a great understanding of particles and the universe as a whole. The model contains twenty-four fundamental particles, which make up matter, and gauge bosons which mediate the forces. It also predicts a type of boson, the Higgs boson, which is the only boson that hasn’t been observed yet, which is expected to be detected by the Large Hadron Collider.
At a basic level, particle theory helps classify the three main states of matter that we see on a day-to-day basis. Particles are seen in relation to each other and the amount of energy they have, which affects the amount of motion. In a state where particles are strongly attracted to each other and are held tightly together in a state where they vibrate but remain relatively stationary, a solid exists. When there is some attraction between the particles, and they are somehow held together, with a relatively free degree of motion, a liquid exists. And when there is little attraction between the particles and they can move freely, a gas exists.
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