The Standard Model (SM) explains the existence of massive particles by the Higgs mechanism, in which a spontaneously broken symmetry associated with a scalar field (the Higgs field) results in the appearance of mass. The quantum of the Higgs field is the Higgs boson.Jan 6, 2012
Why is the Higgs boson so important to the Standard Model?
The Higgs boson particle is so important to the Standard Model because it signals the existence of the Higgs field, an invisible energy field present throughout the universe that imbues other particles with mass. Since its discovery two years ago, the particle has been making waves in the physics community.
What is the Higgs mechanism responsible for?
In the Standard Model of particle physics, the Higgs mechanism is essential to explain the generation mechanism of the property "mass" for gauge bosons.
Is the Higgs boson part of the Standard Model?
The Higgs boson, sometimes called the Higgs particle, is an elementary particle in the Standard Model of particle physics produced by the quantum excitation of the Higgs field, one of the fields in particle physics theory.
What is the Standard Model Higgs?
The Higgs boson plays a unique role in the Standard Model, by explaining why the other elementary particles, except the photon and gluon, are massive. In particular, the Higgs boson explains why the photon has no mass, while the W and Z bosons are very heavy.
Why is the Standard Model important?
The standard model has proved a highly successful framework for predicting the interactions of quarks and leptons with great accuracy. Yet it has a number of weaknesses that lead physicists to search for a more complete theory of subatomic particles and their interactions.
What does the Standard Model explain?
The Standard Model explains three of the four fundamental forces that govern the universe: electromagnetism, the strong force, and the weak force. Electromagnetism is carried by photons and involves the interaction of electric fields and magnetic fields.
What is special about Higgs boson?
Higgs Boson Facts Fundamental particles in our universe acquire mass through their interactions with the Higgs field. The Higgs boson can be a unique portal to finding signs of dark matter due to its own distinctive characteristics and properties.
Is the Higgs mechanism a force?
Not only is the Higgs mechanism a fundamental force, but the way it interacts is unquestionably unique among the fundamental forces. It slows down and limits the range of electroweak force carriers (W,Z) by breaking local symmetry, giving them mass without violating conservation of mass/energy.
What is the Standard Model theory?
The Standard Model is a theory in particle physics which addresses three of the four known forces in Nature: electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, and the strong nuclear force. The current formulation was finalized in the mid-1970s. The Standard Model is based on symmetry principles, such as rotation.