Elementary/irreducible particles

  • Thread starter Thread starter coktail
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Particles
coktail
Messages
118
Reaction score
1
Hi! I'm wondering what the current mainstream thinking is on irreducible/elementary particles.

Is the world made up of tiny, discrete little objects?
...or...
Is the world made up of pure energy that moves in patterns that appear to be little particles?
...or...
Neither/both/something different.

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
coktail said:
Hi! I'm wondering what the current mainstream thinking is on irreducible/elementary particles.

Is the world made up of tiny, discrete little objects?
...or...
Is the world made up of pure energy that moves in patterns that appear to be little particles?
...or...
Neither/both/something different.

Thanks!

Both is closer to the current mainstream, with the caveat that nobody really understands quantum theory.
 
Neither. The world is made of quantum fields, whose elementary excitations carry energy and resemble discrete objects.
 
Bill's point is the best. +1
 
Bill_K said:
Neither. The world is made of quantum fields, whose elementary excitations carry energy and resemble discrete objects.

I have no idea what that means, but I'm excited to learn!

I'm also exploring this site: http://particleadventure.org/

Thanks!
 
Back
Top