What is the Composition of Elementary Particles and Light?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Remi1771
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of elementary particles and light within the framework of the Standard Model of particle physics. It establishes that elementary particles, such as photons and electrons, are not composed of smaller entities; they are fundamental constituents of matter and energy. Additionally, energy is not an independent entity but is always associated with particles, indicating that it is a property rather than a standalone substance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Familiarity with elementary particles such as photons and electrons
  • Basic knowledge of energy concepts in physics
  • Awareness of the distinction between matter and energy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Standard Model of particle physics in detail
  • Explore the properties and behaviors of photons as elementary particles
  • Study the relationship between energy and matter in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the implications of energy not being an independent entity
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental nature of matter and energy will benefit from this discussion.

Remi1771
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
What is smaller than subatomic particles and elemental partcles? What isn't/can't be made of neither of theese two? What is light made of? Is energy made of something?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This is hard to answer. Mainly because no one really has any clue at all.
In the cozy confines of the standard model of particle physics, nothing is 'smaller' than the elementary particles. They aren't made of anything.
In exactly the same way, light (being treated as a particle, as you may or may not know) is also just an elementary particle.

Is energy made of something? Yes and no. 'Energy' doesn't really exist. Is always goes with something. The energy of a photon, the energy of an electron. It's never alone. So 'yes' in the sense that energy is 'made of' everything else. Without anything, there is nothing to have energy. But then again, energy isn't really anything.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad What causes an elementary particle to "decay"?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
Undergrad What would a hypothetical quark-quark collision yield?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School What is an elementary particle?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Graduate Elementary/irreducible particles
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School How hard have they banged on quarks, electrons, etc.?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad What happens when two Neutrinos collide?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
816
Graduate Definition of Elementary Particle
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Graduate A question about wave/particle duality
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Why Are Preon Models in Particle Physics Often Overlooked?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
High School What are energy and charge in subatomic particles?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K