This section is part of the HSC Physic syllabus Module 8: From the universe to the atom, Deep inside the Atom. Let’s investigate the Standard Model of matter.
What is a fundamental force?
All matter is made of elementary particles, the building blocks of matter. The four fundamental forces are characterised by special particles that occur in two basic types called quarks and leptons.
There are 4 fundamental forces:
- The strong force
- The weak force
- The electromagnetic force
- The gravitational force
Each fundamental force has its own corresponding boson.
- The strong force is carried by the “gluon”
- The electromagnetic force is carried by the “photon”
- The weak force carried by the “W and Z bosons”
