The
Standard Model
of particle physics is the
relativistic quantum
field theory of these the strong, electromagnetic, and weak
interactions. In such theories, each type of interaction has a
characteristic set of force
carrier particles
associated with quantum
excitation
of the force field related to that interaction.
The carrier particles either appear in intermediate stages or are
produced during all particle processes involving that type of
interaction. Forces between particles can be described in terms of
static (unchanging) force fields and exchanges of force carrier
particles between the affected particles.
- Gluons are the carrier particles of
strong
interactions.
- Photons are the carrier particles of
electromagnetic
interactions.
-
W and Z bosons
are the carrier particles of
weak
interactions.
- The name for the carrier particle of
gravitational
interactions is the graviton. The status of this
particle is still tentative, because the theory is incomplete and
there has been no good experimental evidence that they exist.
Gravitons are not considered to be a part of the Standard Model.
In the Standard Model a
fifth interaction type
is needed to account for the masses of all particles.
