: This is the current "rulebook" of the universe, describing 12 matter particles (fermions) and four force carriers (bosons).
: The Standard Model explains three of the four known forces: electromagnetism, the strong force (which binds nuclei), and the weak force (responsible for radioactive decay). Gravity remains the outlier that physicists are still working to integrate. 2. The Heart of the Matter: Nuclear Physics Foundations of nuclear and particle physics
From the infinite vastness of the stars to the infinitesimal heart of an atom, the fields of nuclear and particle physics provide the blueprint for how our universe is built and held together. Whether you're a curious student or a science enthusiast, understanding these foundations is like learning the "source code" of reality. 1. The Building Blocks: Particle Physics : This is the current "rulebook" of the
: These combine to form heavier particles like protons and neutrons (baryons) and mesons. which gives other particles their mass.
: These carry the fundamental forces, such as the photon for electromagnetism and the Higgs boson, which gives other particles their mass.