What is Particle physics?
'''Particle physics''' is a branch of [[physics]] that studies tiny pieces of elements, known as [[particles]]. These particles are extremely small pieces that build up the world around us. They are best described in the language of math: [[calculus]], the [[Complex number|imaginary number]], and [[Group (mathematics)|group theory]] (which describes symmetry). == Fundamental forces == Particles can carry [[fundamental forces]]. For example, the [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] force is carried by [[photons]]. The four fundamental forces are responsible for almost everything in all of physics. These fundamental forces are [[gravity]], [[electromagnetism]], [[weak interaction]], and [[strong interaction]]. == The Standard Model == One of the important concepts of particle physics is called the [[Standard Model]]. The [[Standard Model]] is a [[theory]] that tries to explain the fundamental forces. The Standard Model combined with [[General Relativity|general relativity]] is currently the most accepted explanation of how the [[universe]] works. The Standard Model is known to have problems. For example, it explains three of the four forces very well, but it cannot explain [[gravity]]. This is why [[General Relativity|general relativity]], a different theory that explains where gravity comes from, needs to be included for physicists to explain the universe. There is a lot of work to improve the theory and/or find a better theory that is being done. This work is often called theoretical particle physics because it is about building better theories of particles. Theoretical particle physicists make theories to try to improve the Standard Model. One example of this is how many theories predict [[theoretical particles|undiscovered]] particles. == Collider == Physicists find out about particles by studying collisions between different particles. A good [[analogy]] of how physicists study particles through colliding is the car crash example. Imagine a person who wanted to look inside cars. By crashing two cars toge