standard model

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a mathematical description of the elementary particles of matter and the fundamental forces by which they interact and behave; a model combining electromagnetic and weak forces.

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standard model British  

noun

1. physics a theory of fundamental interactions in which the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions are described in terms of the exchange of virtual particles

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standard model Scientific  

1. A theory of subatomic particles and their interactions. The standard model is a kind of quantum field theory and states that all matter consists of three types of particles: leptons, quarks, and the gauge bosons (gluons, intermediate vector bosons, and photons), which are responsible for the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces, along with the more controversial Higgs boson. The standard model was first formulated in the 1970s and was tested repeatedly in the 1980s. It correctly predicted the existence and properties of W and Z bosons. It does not, however, unify all forces, since it does not include an explanation of gravity; a boson called the graviton that might be the mediator of gravity has not been found and cannot be accounted for in the model.

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standard model Cultural  

1. The best theory of the ultimate nature of matter available today. In this theory, all matter is made from quarks and leptons. Particles interact with each other through the medium of the strong force, the electromagnetic force, the weak force, and the gravitational force. At high temperature, the theory sees the first three of these forces as an example of a single unified force.

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The standard model describes the early evolution of the big bang.

The standard model is a unified field theory.

Example Sentences

According to the Standard Model of particle physics, there are three known kinds.

From Science Daily

According to the Standard Model, which is the leading framework in particle physics, there are three known types of neutrinos: electron, muon and tau.

From Science Daily

In earlier experiments, however, scientists observed neutrino behavior that did not fully match the predictions of the Standard Model.

From Science Daily

According to Mastbaum, the finding is significant because it removes a major candidate for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

From Science Daily

While the Standard Model has been highly successful, it does not explain phenomena such as dark matter, dark energy or gravity.

From Science Daily