Please explain something about the standard model

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the standard model of particle physics, specifically focusing on the complexities of its equation, commonly referred to as the Lagrangian. Participants express a desire for explanations of various symbols and terms used in the equation, as well as a general understanding of the model itself. The conversation touches on theoretical aspects and the mathematical framework underlying the standard model.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in understanding the symbols and functions in the standard model's equation, asking for explanations of specific symbols like A, M, u, β, λ, and others.
  • Another participant suggests that a comprehensive understanding of the equation would require extensive study in quantum field theory and mathematics.
  • A participant provides a qualitative description of some symbols, indicating that certain letters represent particles or functions, and discusses concepts like probability and boundary conditions.
  • Some participants mention the need for a link to the specific Lagrangian being discussed, as there are different representations of it.
  • One participant acknowledges their understanding of the standard model but admits confusion over the specific terms in the Lagrangian, indicating a partial grasp of the underlying mathematics.
  • Links to images of different Lagrangians are shared, suggesting a desire for visual aids in understanding the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the explanations of the symbols or the Lagrangian itself. There are multiple competing views on how to approach understanding the equation, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific meanings of the symbols.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with quantum field theory and the mathematics involved, indicating that some foundational knowledge is assumed but not universally held. The discussion highlights the complexity and potential ambiguity in interpreting the Lagrangian and its components.

3m0k177y
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
I can't even begin to type out the entire equation for the standard model of particle physics, it is just so immensely long and I don't have the time, energy, or patience to do so. So please excuse the fact that I don't have the equation on here to show exactly what I mean.
Now, I understand most of particle physics and the relations between particles and such, and I understand a good amount of the functions used in the equation. But, I don't understand what all of the symbols and such are for the particles. I can recognize things like photons, gluons, muons, electrons, tau, nuetrinos, muon nuetrinos, tau nuetrinos, W and Z bosons, and Higgs bosons. But, as for other symbols and letters in the equation, I feel like I'm looking at another language entirely. Can someone explain the following symbols, letters and functions:
A, M, u, β, λ, ∂, m, s, c, K, j, X, (the bar over some of the letters and symbols, I don't know what that's for), ϕ, d, Y, and also I don't understand what letters and symbols mean when they are in the form of: Wu or Wk is.
That's just an example of how the form is used, but I don't understand what it really means.
Please explain this all to me, because I can't find this information anywhere.
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Come to think of it, please just explain EVERYTHING about the equation...its much easier for me that way.
Thanks.
 
3m0k177y said:
Come to think of it, please just explain EVERYTHING about the equation...its much easier for me that way.
Thanks.
To understand some of it you'd have to read at least one book on Quantum field theory (plus all the required mathematics). To fully understand the Standard Model you have several years of intensive studying ahead of you.

Now qualitative description of individual terms of the lagrangian (which is probably what you're talking about) is very much possible, but you'll have to at least give a link to what you're talking about, because there are different ways to write the lagrangian.
 
Different symbols like the pitchfork represent probability things like looks like 0 with a bar through it is called "theta" and it means angle, fancy versions of letters likely mean different bosons or particles, the backwards lowercase "A" called "partial" I think represents a boundary, the big fancy versions of the letter "f" likely represents "function of" and the super and subscripts are limits. In short, you have this quantized object with virtually infinite degrees of freedom with a few nodal surfaces that occupies all possible positions simultaneously but dies down and becomes smaller as the distance increases from a certain boundary which the total probability over all of space remains "1". There's things like spin and momentum which detirmines the overall shape of the boundary from which probability decreases as you travel away from it.
 
Dead Boss said:
To understand some of it you'd have to read at least one book on Quantum field theory (plus all the required mathematics). To fully understand the Standard Model you have several years of intensive studying ahead of you.

Now qualitative description of individual terms of the lagrangian (which is probably what you're talking about) is very much possible, but you'll have to at least give a link to what you're talking about, because there are different ways to write the lagrangian.
I do, for the most part, understand the standard model itself. Also, I have studied quantum field theory and understand a good amount of the maths. I am talking about explaining the lagrangian, mainly because even though I can understand a little bit of the math, I get lost really easily in the equation. There are a few terms I can understand, like photon fields and fermion energy, but a lot of terms, although I can recognize, aren't used in a way I've seen before. I'll get back to you on a link to the lagrangian, I can't post that as of now for a few reasons.
 

Similar threads

Graduate What is the problem with the particle masses in the Standard Model?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate No CP-Violation for coinciding Quark-Masses
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Undergrad Standard Model (Forces interacting with Matter)
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad New Constraints On The Higgs Boson Width
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Graduate My T-shirt and the Standard Model
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad Particle Physics vs Quantum Field Theory vs Standard Model
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
19K
Graduate Furey's superalgebra and the standard model
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Why is the Higgs boson considered a boson?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Glueballs Observed For The First Time
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Graduate Neutrino Electron Scattering In The Standard Model Approach
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K