Elementary Particles

Elementary particles are the fundamental building blocks of matter, which cannot be divided into smaller components. In nuclear structure, they include protons and neutrons (composed of quarks) and electrons. Experimental particle physics studies these particles using high-energy collisions in particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider. This research explores the fundamental forces and interactions that govern the universe, helping us understand everything from the smallest atoms to the cosmos. Discoveries from these experiments, like the Higgs boson, reveal insights into the nature of mass and the forces shaping our reality.