The Standard Model of Particle Physics: A Triumph of Science

The Standard Model of particle physics is the most successful scientific theory of all time. It describes how everything in the universe is made of 12 different types of matter particles, interacting with three forces, all bound together by a rather special particle called the Higgs boson. It’s the pinnacle of 400 years of science and gives the correct answer to hundreds of thousands of experiments. In this explainer, Cambridge University physicist David Tong recreates the model, piece by piece, to provide some intuition for how the fundamental building blocks of our universe fit together. At the end of the video, he also points out what’s missing from the model and what work is left to do in order to complete the Theory of Everything.

**Correction: At 13'50", the photon should be included with the three fundamental forces. The animation here is incorrect, while the narration is correct.

00:00 The long search for a Theory of Everything
00:33 The Standard Model
01:43 Gravity: the mysterious force
02:29 Quantum Field Theory and wave-particle duality
03:05 Fermions and Bosons
04:00 Electrons and quarks, protons and neutrons
04:45 Neutrinos
05:22 Muons and Taus
05:59 Strange and Bottom Quarks, Charm and Top Quarks
06:13 Electron Neutrinos, Muon Neutrinos, and Tao Neutrinos
06:26 How do we detect the elusive particles?
06:49 Why do particles come in sets of four?
07:17 The Dirac Equation describes all of the particles
07:49 The three fundamental forces
08:13 Bosons
08:32 Electromagnetism and photons
09:17 The Strong Force, gluons and flux tubes
10:38 The Weak Force, Radioactive Beta Decay, W and Z bosons
12:04 The Higgs boson and the Higgs field
13:20 Beyond the Standard Model: a Grand Unified Theory
14:12 How does gravity fit in the picture?
14:41 Where is the missing dark matter and dark energy?
15:03 Unsolved mysteries of the Standard Model

[famistudio]

The editing, the narration, everything about this video was great.

[alacastersoi]

Beings living in dark matter clusters: Why the heck is 5% of the universe missing?

[prashanthchari]

This isn't just an informational video, it's a visual treat. Thank you for this immense gift.

[UpQuark]

During my Master's in Theoretical Physics, I used to watch David Tong's lectures on Quantum Field Theory. Now I am again reminded of why I did that. He is such a great communicator!

[UIM_Loki]

I've heard this topic explained maybe 10 times, but this time it actually made sense, great work!

[mauriceschilpp]

This's by far the most interesting and scientific way to teach about the particles, I have ever seen. I mean I'm an engineer and mostly doing programming, but I like watching science and physics in my free time. That way it was described and animated shows clear knowledge in teaching something hard in easy ways. I will definitely subscribe! Thanks and keep up with this work!

[DeepakOjha]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the extreme hardwork done on the animations here alongwith the mind-boggling scientific and cosmic terminologies?

[manlike]

I have been a physics enthusiast for most of my life (26yrs old now), and I’ve watched many videos explaining these principles, read many articles etc. And I have to say, this is by far the best explanation of the standard model i have come across. Job Well done👌

Subscribed.

[ThomasKarabela]

I love how physicist will always end explanations with: "... and we have no idea why that is". Even for my course on intro to the universe, I had asked something along the lines of energy dispersion right after the big bang, my prof was able to describe it perfectly, but just ended with: "... but don't ask why, no one knows!".

[Spookmaster]

Sir, I have never had a clearer understanding of how everything fits so beautifully together till I saw your amazing Video Explanation. I wish they taught like this in schools. Reading it in a physics book doesn't do justice at all!!

[just_cade]

Fantastic explanation of the most complicated subject known to humanity. I still feel like I don't fully understand it, but I can at least grasp the main parts of it. Quantum scientists are undoubtedly some of the most important and magnificent people in the world, their work is (literally) everything, and they are the ones moving this species forward every single day.

[Dasein]

This was super accessible and very well narrated. I still get about 3% of it but it is still a fascinating watch. Thx!

[dunglvht]

Wow, it's David Tong himself. He has a really easy to aproach lecture note on Quantum Field Theory that I appreciate a lot.

[ARCISX]

I have watched over 30 videos discussing these particles but this was the only one that left me with a crystal clear understanding. Great work right here!

[niftutor]

This is THE MOST beautiful and THE MOST clear video I’ve ever seen on the Standard model! I have never understood the standard model to a 100% until I stumbled across this video. Amazing stuff. Keep it coming. Thank you.

[freedomdiev]

This is just so awe-inspiring. To think that we humans have unraveled reality to this point and discovered so much about our universe... It's just so surreal. And there is still much more to we have yet to understand.

"The culmination of 400 years of science", truly gives me perspective on the effort all the brilliant minds of the past and present have given towards advancing us to the future. I cannot help but respect their drive and curiosity to peel back the layers of reality and see what truly lies beneath.

I have nothing but respect to everyone who has contributed and *is* contributing towards our further understanding of the reality we live in.

13:24 and onwards reminded me of a saying I heard before: "It's better to have questions we can't answer than answers we can't question." This mentality of scientists and researchers is just so inspiring. Thank you for all that you people have done to create all the things most of us take for granted today. Having been born in this age of technological advancement is not so bad at all. I'm excited to see what the future will bring towards scientific discovery.

[DanielHuangBayarea]

This is one of the best videos that provides a clear picture of the Standard Model of particle physics. Thank you, David Tong!

[cosmiccartographer]

Prof. David Tong! The legend himself! I can't believe I was lucky enough to have met him in person. Thank you for the immensely beautiful video.

[shonaroan]

One of the best videos on the fundamental forces and matter. Thanks for making this theory accessible and explaining it so well

[hinxlinx]

04:01 Three Matter Particles
04:44 Neutrino
05:23 Further Copies
05:40 Muon & Tau
05:59 Variations of Quarks
06:12 Muon Neutrino & Tau Neutrino
06:49 Collection of Particles
07:50 The Forces
08:08 Force Associated Particles
08:34 Electromagnetism
08:55 Electric Field
09:17 The Strong Force
10:38 The Weak Force
12:04 Higgs Boson