The standard model of particle physics cannot explain dark matter or dark energy, which together make up 95 per cent of the cosmos
NASA, ESA, CSA, J. DePasquale (STScI)
In 1973, physicist Steven Weinberg gave a talk in Aix-en-Provence, France. It was there, according to Weinberg, that he first used the term “standard model” to describe the nascent description of the fundamental constituents of the universe and their interactions. Fifty years on, the standard model of particle physics is a stunningly accurate picture of what everything is made of and how it all works to produce reality.
Practically everything, anyway. Because although the 50th anniversary is well worth celebrating, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the theory is incomplete. It doesn’t explain gravity, or why we have so much matter in the universe and so little antimatter. And it says nothing about so-called dark matter and dark energy, postulated to explain why the cosmos behaves in certain ways.
This is why physicists are casting around for clues that could lead us to a better theory. But which, if any, will deliver an upgrade to the standard model? How do we find the deluxe version? We let six of today’s leading physicists explain how they think we will finally discover a more complete picture of reality.
Collisions at the energy frontier
Jon Butterworth
University College London
It is always risky to bet against the standard model of particle physics. Historically, most people who have done so have lost. But over the next decade and a half, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will continue…
Insights:
The standard model of particle physics, developed over the past 50 years, provides a highly accurate understanding of the fundamental constituents of the universe and their interactions. However, it falls short in explaining aspects such as gravity, the matter-antimatter imbalance, and dark matter and dark energy, which together constitute 95% of the cosmos.
Physicists are now actively searching for clues and strategies to achieve a more comprehensive theory to supplement or replace the standard model. This article presents six strategies proposed by leading physicists to unlock the secrets of the universe and discover a more complete understanding of reality.
Strategy 1: Collisions at the energy frontier
Jon Butterworth, University College London
Jon Butterworth advocates for the continued exploration of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. By studying high-energy collisions of particles within this massive accelerator, scientists hope to discover evidence of new particles or interactions that could provide breakthrough insights and potentially reveal physics beyond the standard model.
