How many elementary particles are there?

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SUMMARY

The standard model of particle physics includes 6 quarks, 6 antiquarks, 6 leptons, and 5 bosons, totaling 23 particles. However, Griffith's "Introduction to Elementary Particles" states there are 12 leptons, 36 quarks, and 12 mediators. The discrepancy arises from the inclusion of color charge in quarks, which accounts for a factor of 3, and the 8 gluons, leading to the total of 36 quarks. Additionally, the discussion highlights that the Higgs boson and graviton, while significant, remain unverified fundamental bosons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Familiarity with quark color charge and its implications
  • Knowledge of gauge bosons and their roles in particle interactions
  • Basic concepts of particle-antiparticle pairs
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  • Research the role of color charge in quark classification
  • Study the properties and significance of gauge bosons in the Standard Model
  • Explore the implications of the Higgs boson and graviton in theoretical physics
  • Investigate the differences between verified and unverified particles in modern physics
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Students of particle physics, physicists specializing in the Standard Model, and anyone interested in the classification and properties of elementary particles.

ehrenfest
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I am confused. I thought that the standard model included 6 quarks and 6 antiquarks, 6 leptons and 6 antileptons and 5 bosons (W+,W-,Z,photon,gluon).

However in Griffith's "Introduction to Elementary Particles" (on page 48) he says that there are "12 leptons, 36 quarks, 12 mediators".

I am thinking of the t,b,u,d,s,c and their antiparticles for the quarks.

So can someone please account for the remaining 24 quarks and the remaining 7 bosons?
 
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ehrenfest said:
So can someone please account for the remaining 24 quarks and the remaining 7 bosons?
Color is as good a charge as electric charge. You miss a factor 3 on quarks, and a factor 9 on gluons minus one color scalar gluon.
 
Higg's Boson and graviton are the only other fundamental bosons I've heard of, and they're not even verified yet.

Oh, if you count the 8 gluons it works out. Der...
 
fedaykin said:
Higg's Boson and graviton are the only other fundamental bosons I've heard of, and they're not even verified yet.
As mentioned by the OP, the photon, the Ws and the Z are other gauge bosons. Those are established beyond doubt.
 
Yeah, I wish I could have deleted that post. For the future, I promise to be less impulsive.
 

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