High School Identification of sub atomic particles?

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The discussion centers on the challenges of confirming the existence of subatomic particles like protons, quarks, and gluons in quantum physics. It raises concerns about potential biases in experimental results, questioning how physicists can be sure their findings align with theoretical expectations. The response emphasizes the complexity of scientific reasoning and the rigorous methods employed to validate measurements. Ultimately, it suggests that skepticism about physicists' integrity may not be resolvable through discussion alone. The thread concludes with the notion that confidence in scientific findings relies on a long chain of reasoning and evidence.
johngalt47
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I have not formally studied physics but am interested in quantum physics. I have studied calculus so I know a little bit about mathematics in case the answer requires it.

My question is, when a physicist conducts experiments at the quantum level, how do they know that what they are "seeing" is what they thought they were expecting? To fine tune my question, how does one know for sure that a proton is composed of quarks held together by gluons? What if it is entirely something different, but because the physicists were expecting one result of the experiment, they were prejudiced toward believing that the results confirmed what they were looking for?
 
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So, you have not formally studied physics but want to know how you know that physicists are not knaves and idiots? I guess you don't. There's a long chain of reasoning behind every measurement, but if you'd rather believe physicists are "prejudiced toward believing that the results confirmed what they were looking for", there's nothing we could write that you will find convincing.
 
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Ther's not much to add to V50's answer, so this thread is closed.
 

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