What’s the smallest thing in the universe? - Jonathan Butterworth

If you were to take a coffee cup, and break it in half, then in half again, and keep carrying on, where would you end up? Could you keep on going forever? Or would you eventually find a set of indivisible building blocks out of which everything is made? Jonathan Butterworth explains the Standard Model theory and how it helps us understand the world we live in.

Lesson by Jon Butterworth, directed by Nick Hilditch.

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[SatishchandraSalam]

Scientist: hey, strangely charming quark.
Quark: *blushes*

[pinecone]

I love when scientists give up and call things the strong force, weak force, up, down, bottom, top, strange

[SciencewithKatie]

You guys make physics so accessible to everyone 💛

[Naxvarus]

Ted ed: "What's the smallest thing in the universe"
My brain: "Don't say it."

[danialrizvi]

I feel like TED-Ed knows what I'm struggling in so wants to help out.

[BobMcCoy]

*These animations are **_particl-ularly_** awesome*

[AxielFan]

12 years of school and not once was I told that the electromagnetism between protons and electrons is maintained through the transfer of photons. The classic model and by extension, the classic educational system has failed me.

[johnk]

the smallest thing in the universe is our understanding of the universe
John K. 2018

[jackringel]

3:40 Small correction - neutrinos actually do interact with gravity a *very* small amount and not just the weak force. (This was discovered in recent years, which, I assume, is why it's not in the video.) That said, their mass is so tiny (millions of times smaller than an electron) that the force of gravity is almost nothing on them and everything except the weak force is negligible.

[quahntasy]

Very amazing animations to explain this complicated model.

Thanks TED for existing!

[snowwonder]

What did the neutron say to the proton?

Neutron: What's up?
Proton: My quarks! Whata bout you?
Neutron: Not my quarks. I'm feeling pretty down, actually.

[einsteinboricua]

Even Wikipedia could not explain this as elegantly as you guys did. Finally I understand it better.

[Andreamom]

I am showing this to my eight year old immediately! The simplest and best explanation of matter that I have ever seen.

[thecrystalmemes]

That cup molecule looks... suspicious...

[archanamande]

This is not an easy topic and being in 7th grade with the urge to learn, Ted Ed has made it possible form me to learn anything. Thanks!

[YiannisANO]

I remember my Physics A level paper that was on the Standard model and astrophysics, I got 117/120 and i was so proud. I never followed this field further but im happy to see i still remembered the basics. Excellent video

[Viki-zobc]

Thanks for the information. Now I can recreate literally ANYTHING in the universe.

[bonkeroooo]

Thanks Ted-Ed for making physics, a subject I'm easily confused by, a fun lesson with wonderful animation and narration!

[Dlawderek]

I love how easily understood this lesson is despite its very complex subject matter. I’d love to see more physics videos!

[MCPT]

Fun fact: the term Quark is derived from James Joyce's puzzling masterpiece Finnegans Wake.
"Three quarks for Muster Mark!

Sure he has not got much of a bark
And sure any he has it’s all beside the mark."