The concept of the subatomic realm has intrigued humans for centuries. It started with the ancient Greeks speculating about whether it was air, fire, or water. Then, a century ago, physicists were confident that atoms were the fundamental particles. However, our understanding has evolved, and now we believe that the quantum world is composed of various elementary particles governed by quantum theory. This unseen world is where everything we observe and experience originates, but it can also be perplexing in its strangeness.
In this guide, we will provide a concise and straightforward overview of the known particles and forces in the quantum realm. We will explore electrons, quarks, neutrinos, photons, and even the elusive Higgs boson. Additionally, we will delve into the quantum laws and phenomena that give quantum physics its peculiar reputation, such as wave-particle duality, entanglement, and the uncertainty principle. Furthermore, we will discuss hypothetical particles that could explain cosmic enigmas like dark matter and dark energy, as well as the mysterious entities that might exist beyond the quantum realm. Lastly, we will address the question: what exactly is a theory of everything?
Navigate our inventory of the quantum realm
MATTER
To begin our exploration, we need to understand what we already know. Visible matter is composed of atoms, with protons and neutrons at their core. However, these particles are not elementary themselves, as indicated by the current “standard model” of particle physics, which is our leading explanation of the smallest scales of reality. Therefore, let’s dive even deeper and uncover what matter truly consists of.
