Introduction to Particles
Particles are fundamental units of matter and energy that form the building blocks of the universe. They range from subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons, to elementary particles like quarks and leptons, which have no known substructure. Particles interact through fundamental forces (gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear forces), governing everything from atomic structure to cosmic phenomena.
In quantum physics, particles exhibit wave-particle duality, behaving as both discrete particles and waves. The Standard Model of particle physics classifies known particles and their interactions, though mysteries like dark matter remain unresolved. Studying particles helps unravel the origins of the universe, advance technology (e.g., medical imaging), and explore the fabric of reality.