B Need help on understanding particle physics and quantum physics

[aleholancrisis]

TL;DR Summary

I'm interested in learning what exactly are protons, neutrons, quarks, higgs, fluons etc.., I wanna know what are they and what properties they contain and how have people got to know and confirm those properties(proofs) and what things do I need to know

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks

 

[PeterDonis]

I'm interested in learning what exactly are protons, neutrons, quarks, higgs, fluons etc.

According to our best current theoretical models, they're quantum fields.

I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up

Yes.

Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these

This is much too vague. We can't give you a course in particle physics.

I would suggest taking some time to read a textbook that covers the Standard Model of particle physics, which is our best current theoretical model of the things you are asking about. Then, if you have questions about specific things you read that you don't understand, you can ask them. Note that you will need considerable background in physics to understand the Standard Model; it's graduate level material. You marked this thread as "A" level, which indicates a graduate level of understanding, but it's not clear to me from your question that you actually have that.

 

[bob012345]

According to our best current theoretical models, they're quantum fields.

If electrons are quantum fields, then what, physically, are quantum fields?

 

[PeterDonis]

If electrons are quantum fields, then what, physically, are quantum fields?

Quantum fields. There is no other answer as far as physics is concerned, at least not with our best current models. Quantum fields are the most fundamental objects in those models; they're not "made of" anything else.

 

[bob012345]

Quantum fields. There is no other answer as far as physics is concerned, at least not with our best current models. Quantum fields are the most fundamental objects in those models; they're not "made of" anything else.

Thanks. But are they physical entities?

 

[PeterDonis]

are they physical entities?

They're what our best current theory of the fundamental physics of matter says everything is made of. If that makes them "physical entities", then yes.

 

[PeroK]

Thanks. But are they physical entities?

Two points of view are: Quantum Fields are reality; and, reality can only be described mathematically - fundamentally through quantum fields.

I lean towards the latter. That there is a physical universe out there, and our best way to describe it is through QFT. This also allows us to have different mathematical models in indifferent domains of applicability. We can still successfully use classical mechanics, classical EM and relativity without worrying too much about whether, for example, the classical EM field is a "real physical entity".