Particle Physics

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Scientists have always been interested in what the basis of matter is.
If we keep dividing matter down how far can we go?
Initially it was thought that the atom was the smallest indivisible component of matter. But then various experiments in the late 19th century and then in the 20th century showed that the atom itself is made up of smaller components.

Particle Physics is concerned with understanding matter at its fundamental level, and in order to investigate the structure of the matter, particle physicists use probing instruments such as particle accelerators is to determine its structure.
The lessons below examine our current understanding of the matter based on the Standard Model, and also examine the role of particle accelerators such as CERN and SLAC.

1. The Standard Model

 

​2. Evidence for the Quark

 
 

 3. The physics of the synchrotron  - a particle accelerator - the CERN LHC as an example

 

4. The physics of the Cyclotron - a particle accelerator - ANSTO National Research Cyclotron as an example