"Natural" vs. Laboratory Particles

In summary, of the 61 known elementary or fundamental particles, all of them exist in the everyday, "natural" world of the Earth. However, some of these particles are more prevalent and easier to observe than others. For example, up and down quarks, all 8 gluons, photons, and electrons make up the majority of visible matter. Neutrinos and muons also exist in relatively large amounts but are more difficult to detect. Other particles, such as positrons and anti-quarks, are rare and have short lifetimes. The prevalence of these particles also depends on the energies involved, with some particles being more natural at higher energies. Overall, the existence and abundance of these particles in the natural world is dependent on
  • #1
joeyb9
2
0
Of the 61 known elementary or fundamental particles, which ones exist in the everyday, "natural" world of the Earth, and which have been created or only found among laboratory experiments?

The 61:
red/blue/green up/down/strange/charm/top/bottom quarks and their antiparticles make 36
photon/W+, W-, Z/Higgs/8 gluons make 13 more
electron/muon/tau and their antiparticles make 6 more
electron/muon/tau neutrinos and their antiparticles make 6 more

Some of these are obviously natural (up and down quarks, etc.) but I'm asking for them all anyway.

THANKS!
 
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  • #2
All of them exist in nature - the most high-energetic cosmic rays hitting objects like Earth have more energy (even in the center of mass system) than our current accelerators.

Up and down quarks (with all 3 colors), all 8 gluons, photons and electrons make up the matter we see.
Neutrinos of all types are very frequent, but hard to see, and muons are produced in relatively large amounts from cosmic rays.
There are also some positrons and anti-up and anti-down quarks flying around.

All other particles are rarely produced and decay very fast, so their number of real particles is very small.
 
  • #3
In general, the answer to your question is "it depends"... it depends on the energies you work with...
In the "natural world" you see electrons, neutrinos, photons and protons/neutrons (or more precisely nuclei).
The quarks and gluons are not "natural" below some energies (pions and nucleons are more natural).
 

What is the difference between natural and laboratory particles?

Natural particles are those that occur in the environment, such as dust, pollen, and volcanic ash. Laboratory particles are created in a controlled setting for scientific experiments or industrial purposes.

Are laboratory particles safe for human and environmental health?

It depends on the specific type of particle and its intended use. Some laboratory particles may pose health or environmental risks, while others are designed to be harmless for research or production purposes.

Can natural particles be replicated in a laboratory setting?

In some cases, natural particles can be replicated in a laboratory setting through processes such as aerosolization or chemical synthesis. However, there are some complex natural particles, such as viruses or certain minerals, that cannot be fully replicated in a lab.

How do natural and laboratory particles differ in terms of purity?

Natural particles are often found in a mixture with other substances, while laboratory particles can be created with a higher level of purity. This is because scientists can control the composition and production of laboratory particles.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using natural vs. laboratory particles in research?

The advantages of using natural particles in research include their real-world relevance and cost-effectiveness. However, laboratory particles offer more control and reproducibility in experiments. Additionally, some natural particles may be difficult to obtain in large quantities or have varying compositions, making them less ideal for research purposes.

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