Running head: THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY.

The standard Model and its Financial Profitability.

Andrs Olmedo
Colegio Britnico de Cancn

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

Outline
* Investigating the Particles Physics
-CERN
-The accelerator complex
*Standard Model
-Particles in the Standard Model
-Matter and antimatter
-Fundamental Forces
-Strong Force
-Weak Force
-Electromagnetic force
-Gravitational Force
*Higgs Boson and the Higgs Field
-Higgs Field
-Higgs Boson
*Physics beyond the Standard Model
-Gravity and Strong Force
-Grand Unified Theory
-Theory of Everything
-Strings Theory
-Implications
-Extra Dimensions
-Baryon Asymmetry
-Dark Matter and Dark Energy
*Costs of the CERN and the Standard Model
*Conclusion

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

Abstract
Is discovering the particle that would complete a theorem of what are we made of really
worth a peanut per person? Or are the investigations of dark matter really of any use for us?
This paper explains the different concepts the CERN is investigating and if we should spend
our taxes in it. Also, as a fundamental part of it, the paper gives details about this place, the
Standard model (in a way a normal person with basic knowledge in physics can understand),
a brief explanation of why its being researched and what the physics beyond the standard
model are since all of this is being currently costing millions. If something isnt fully
comprehensible, a little research about Gravity, particles such as electrons and neutrons,
forces, and electricity is advisable.
Keywords: Particle Physics, Standard, Model, CERN, Strong, Weak, Electromagnetic,
gravity, force, Field, boson, fermion, Theory, grand, everything, strings, dark, energy, matter,
Baryon.

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

The Standard Model, Where It Is Being Researched and What is Beyond its Capabilities
Throughout the centuries, thousands of philosophers have asked the question: What
are we? What are we made of? Even now, millions of us are asking that question right now.
Today, scientists in the CERN are answering this question through the Standard Model. But,
how much does this question is going to cost us? What are they doing with our taxes, is it
really worthwhile?
The Standard model of Particle Physics or just The Standard Model is a description
of how Particles Work. It Works closely with particles Physics and many other branches of
science. It is also a model that hasnt been completed and that still needs some polishing since
it has many inconsistences like incongruences and unexplained phenomena. (Ruiz, 2015)
Basically, the Standard model is about basic particles composing all of the matter (and
antimatter) while elemental forces manipulate them. It doesnt explain complex phenomena
but its the best theory to explain our universe. (Ruiz, 2015)
Investigating the Particles Physics
Several laboratories around the world are studying the particles physics, and thus,
understanding one theory that describes them: The standard model. These laboratories
include: The European Organization for Nuclear Research, Fermi National Laboratory,
Universities and the J-PARC. (U.C, 2013)
CERN
The Standard model of Particles, a theory that could describe our universe is actually
being researched in the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). It is and
organization founded in 1952 by 12 founder states: elgium, Denmark, France, the Federal
Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the
United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. It uses the most powerful and complex scientific

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

instruments with the sole purpose of understanding particle physics and thus, proving the
standard model (although, its not the only theory investigated). (CERN, 2015)
CERN is a center where many brilliant minds from all around the world are gathered.
In the CERN, many universities, countries and independent Scientists are trying to
understand the universe. Here, about 2,500 scientists can try push the boundaries of
understanding by answering some of the most complex questions ever made. Knowledge
generated in this facility is shared freely in their webpage and anyone can try read the thesis
and publications in it. (CERN, 2015)
Throughout the years, CERN has influenced our everyday live. They invented the
Internet (the connection between computers), touchscreens, medical hardware for the
detection of cancer and many other inventions which are now part of our everyday life.
(CERN & Society Foundation, 2015) CERN seeks to inspire tomorrows science and
engineering graduates, who will contribute to scientific progress and the world economy. is
one of the many missions CERN has. (CERN & Society Foundation, n.d.)
The accelerator complex: To investigate the physics of particles, the CERN counts
with high-tech accelerators and machines that accelerate particles to speed near the speed of
light and then making them collide. These collisions are registered and analyzed by
supercomputers connected to receptors. The complex which is about 27 km wide is shared
between France and Switzerland. It counts with 5 stages which accelerate gradually the
particles using magnetic fields. (CERN, 2015)
The standard Model
The standard model is the name of a theory predicted in 1970s which explains what the
universe is made of. It states that the universe is made of seventeen fundamental particles
governed by 4 fundamental forces. (Elert, The Physics Hypertextbook , 2015) Out of the
seventeen particles (see appendix A), the last one to be discovered was the Higgs Boson,

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

which will be explained in the next pages since it was discovered in the CERN and was the
merit that gave Franois Englert and Peter W. Higgs the Nobel Prize in physics in 2013.
(O'Luanaigh, 2013)
The particles are divided into Leptons and Quarks. Only the Up and Down Quarks
and the Electron form most of the matter we see in our everyday lives. Leptons and Quarks
are Fermions while the Force carriers the bosons. (Fermilab, 2014)

Particles in the Standard Model

The seventeen particles of the Standard Model are divided into two groups: The ones
that compose matter (Fermions) and the ones that are the carriers of forces (Bosons).
Fermions obey a simple rule that dictates that they cannot occupy the same space and time of
another fermion. Bosons, on the other hand, have no problem doing this. Also, both of them
are divided into quarks and leptons, which are arranged into groups of six and they all have
their normal states (which compose normal matter) and their anti-state which are the building
blocks of antimatter. (Elert, The Physics Hypertextbook , 2015)
One difference between the Fermions and the Bosons is their spin which is an intrinsic
property of these particles. While the Fermions have a spin of , the bosons have a spin of 1.
But it can go up to 2, 3, 4 etc., its just that we havent found them yet. Also, Fermions tend to
be symmetric while Bosons are pretty much asymmetric, when it comes to arrangement in
wavelengths. ( G.S.U., 2015)
Matter and Antimatter: As a derivate of the standard model, its imperative to talk
about matter and antimatter. All matter particle has an antiparticle counterpart. Antimatter
particles have exactly the same properties as normal matter with the difference that antimatter
has the opposite charge. For exaple: An Electron has a negative charge while a Positron (the
counterpart of an Electron) has a positive charge. (Alain Mazure, 2011)

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

As they have the same properties, theorically antimatter can form anti-elements for
exaple: Antihydrogen, which is a combitanion of one Positron and one antiproton. As one can
see, and for unknown reasons, there is more matter than antimatter; this will be explained in
detail in the Physics beyond the Standard Model section. (Alain Mazure, 2011)
Fundamental Forces
While Fundamental particles compose pretty much everything in the universe, the
Fundamental forces are the ones that govern the behaviour of these particles. The big
difference between a force and an interaction (which is the real name for fundamental
forces) is that all forces are a product of fundamental interactions. (Safa, 2015)
These four forces are: the gravitational force, the electromagnetic force, the weak
force, and the strong force. They all have different properties and ranges. For example: The
strong interaction acts up to a rang of 10-13 cm while the gravitational force has an infinite
range. (A.L., 2015)
Strong Nuclear Force: Force that keeps protons and neutrons together in a nucleus
(C.M.U., 2013) It has a very short range (although its range is technically infinite) It is an
atrractive force although it can be repulsive sometimes. (Collins, 1989)
Weak Nuclear Force: Force responsible for certain types of nuclear reactions
(C.M.U., 2013) Its a force of interaction between quarks and leptons and, as the name says,
its weaker than the Strong Nuclear Force and the Electromagnetic Force. (Collins, 1989)
Electromagnetic Force: Force that keeps an electron in its orbit around the atomic
nucleus; (i.e., attraction or repulsion between a charged plastic comb and a strand of hair)
(C.M.U., 2013) It has an inifite range (as its particles have no mass (photons)) It doesnt
affect neutral charges. (N.S.W.C., 2000)
Gravitational Force: Force pulling together all matter (which is anything you can
physically touch) (Biad, 2015) It has an infinite range, like the Electromagnetic Force. It

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

also decreases it strength as the distance increases. It hasnt yet been completely described.
(N.S.W.C., 2000)
The Higgs Boson and the Higgs Field
Why is it that there are four fundamental forces and not just one huge force that
unifies them? Scientists from all around the world have tryied to understand this but they
havent found an answer yet. They have already related the electromagnetic force and the
weak force (The so called Eelctroweak force) but they havent related them to the strong
force or the Gravitational force. (R. Nave, 2015)
Although it may seem as if the Electroweak force is a step forward, scientists
havent solve one huge problem: Why do the particles from the elctromagnetic and the weak
force have so different masses if they are part of the same electroweak force? Photons
(partiles of the electromagnetic force) are masless while the Fermions of the Weak Froce (W
and Z) have mass. Heres where the Higgs Field and the Higgs Boson came into action. (R.
Nave, 2015)
Higgs Field
The Higgs Field explain why some particles are massless and others do have it. It is
not a force but a field where every particle swims through. Depending of the strength of
the interaction one particle has with the Higgs Field, so the mass will be. The Higgs Field
gives mass to particles. For example: A photon interacts poorly with the Higgs field, so it has
no mass while the W and Z fermions interact more with it, so they have mass. (Riesselmann,
2014)
Particles with different characteristics interact in different ways with the Higgs Field.
Just like humans float differently in a pool depending of our weight, size, shape, etc. As we
humans cant prove directly the Higgs field, we need and intermediator to do so: The Higgs
Boson. (Riesselmann, 2014)

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

Higgs Boson
The Higgs Boson is an unstable particle that collides with many particles (it doesnt
interact with the ones with no mass since they dont interact with the HIggs field). Its the
way scientists have found to prove the existance of the Higgs Field. It has Zero electric
charge and no spin. To produce them, particles need t collide at high speeds in a very small
space. (Wilczek, 2011)
Its discovery was a huge boom in the scientific world, and it gave Peter W. Higgs (the
person who theorized it) and Franois Englert the nobel prize in 2013 for:
The theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the
origin of mass of subatomic particles, and which recently was confirmed through the
discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at
CERN's Large Hadron Collider (Nobel Media AB, 2015)
Physics beyond the Standard Model
While its true that the Higgs Boson has explained many things in the Standard model,
theres still many things that need to be prove yet, like the inclussion of the Strong Force
(Since gravity is not taken into account) for a Theory of Everything, the assymetry of Matter
and Antimatter, Dark energy and Dark Matter. (Womersley, 2015)
Gravity and Strong Force
Although scientists have already unified the electromagnetic force and the weak force
(Electroweak) theres still the Strong and Gravity forces yet to be included into one single
theory of everything. The first step would be a Grand Unified Theory, which will include the
Strong force into the equation (Langacker, 2012) and then the grand Theory of everything, a
theory that would mix gravity with the other 3 forces. (Elert, 2015)

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10

Grand Unified Theory: This theory should unify the electroweak force with the
strong force, which is vital in Quantum Mechanics. Nowadays, several theories have been
proposed but none of them describe the data collected in experimentation. (T.P.A., 2015)
According to investigations, High-energy particles interacting with the forces should
converge at one point. This is the basis on which scientists are basing their investigations in
order to achieve unification. (T.P.A., 2015)
Theory of Everything: The theory of everything is the last step towards a unification
of the forces (Although some scientists claim to have found a fifth force describing the
Proton decay dilemma) (T.P.A., 2015) It should unify the four forces into a single force which
could explain the bahaviour of particles with mathematicall precition. Its still one mayor
unsolved problem in physics but many theories have emerged trying to achieve this. For
example: The stringes theory and the M Theory. (Hawking, 2009)
Strings Theory
One cadidate to be a Theory of Everything is the Strings Theory. It hasnt yet been
proven and its under strict speculation, but many scientists including Stephen Hawking have
supported this theory by saying it should be the answer to the equation of the Theory of
Everything. (Hawking, 2009)
Implications: The string theory dictates that every particle is formed by tiny little
strings oscillating in different quantum states. Each different oscillation gives particles their
different properties, like mass or charge. While its true that it hasnt been proven, it has a lot
of support since it includes Gravity in the equation. This theory also has some difficulties, for
example: The necessity of extra dimensions. (P. C. W. Davies, 1992)
Extra Dimensions: To achieve the consistence of the Strings Theory, theres the need
of 36 dimensions, but many scientists claim that there is only the need for 11 of them. These
dimensions give the strings movement freedom and thus, allowing them to exist. But then, as

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11

a consequence of the existence of the extra dimensions time travels must exist, which
contradict Einsteins theory of relativity. (P. C. W. Davies, 1992)
Baryon Asymmetry
As stated before, matter is what composes our universe, but theres also Antimatter
which has the exact same properties of matter. So, why is it that theres more matter than
antimatter? This is what the Baryon asymmetry is all about and one huge unsolved theme the
standard model needs to solve. (Sather, 2015)
If we work out what the Universe was like one billionth of a second after it began, it turns out
that for every billion particle-antiparticle pairs there was just one extra particle. To that
particle we and stars owe our existence. (Sather, 2015)
Explaining why there was more matter than antimatter is what scientists are trying to explain
(Sather, 2015)
Dark Matter and Dark Energy
Gravity has an infinite range and it pulls together things, so it should slow the
expansion of the universe, but recent discoveries have pointed that its the opposite: The
universe is accelerating its expansion. Theorists have tried to explain this phenomena, but
none of them have succeed, although theyve given already the solution a name: Dark Matter
and Dark Energy. (Erickson, 2015)
Both of them are yet incomprehensible, we cant see them. They compose roughly
95% of our universe (68% Dark Energy and 27% Dark Matter). Dark Matter for example: It
cant be matter since we cant detect it, its not antimatter, otherwise it should collide with
normal matter and thus making the universe bright as a diamond. Its still something to look
forward to. (Erickson, 2015)
Costs of the CERN and the Standard Model

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12

The cost of constructing the CERN facilities (explained before) between the 17
founder countries was of $4.75 billion dollars. Which includes the big magnets that accelerate
the particles, laboratories and computers. Computing processes cost CERN about $286
Million dollars annually, while electricity alone gas a cost of $23.5 million per year. The
Budget for the CERN (which 20% is self-paid by the organization while the 80% is paid by
foundations and governments) is $1 Billion per year. (Alex Knapp, 2012)
Until 2012, the cost of finding the Higgs Boson ran about 13.25 billion dollars (Alex
Knapp, 2012) which is quite an amount but then again, Carlos Slim has a fortune of $66
billion dollars, almost 5 times the amount required to explain the basic concepts of life,
expanding computer progress and having better medical equipment for cancer treatment.
(Lin, 2013)
Also CERN annually spends about $500 million is contracts for scientific equipment.
Not including the several cutting-edge technologies they release every year and the Big Data
collection CERN generates each year which is a new business currently being used by several
multinational companies. (Ireland for CERN, 2015)
Conclusion
In 2009, Britains investment in CERN was $174 million dollars (about 15% of
CERNs Budget) which is more or less 2 per UK citizen. (Baggott, 2012) This is the total
cost a normal citizen is spending in the future of medicine. In the future of science. This is the
real capital humanity is spending in the CERN. All of the topics mentioned before, all the
data and new discoveries that are made each year, Nobel Prizes, International Unity, and of
course, the knowledge humanity is acquiring by investigating the Standard Model is worth 2
per Person.
The world has conflicts, its not necessary a profound research to be aware of that, but
in the CERN people forget about that and start researching in what the future may be, what

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13

should we expect in the future and the difficult concepts people from all around the world are
trying to understand. Imagine a rocket propelled by a matter-antimatter motor. Or going in a
Hoverboard once we fully understand Gravity (Like the one used in Back to the Future). This
is the future and we are not giving it the importance it needs.
For further research about this topic and in some cases actualization, its advisable to
read the official reports given by the CERN. Theyre free for all and they dont reserve
themselves in terms of giving information. Theres also a Forbes page explaining in detail
what the costs of the CERN are.

THE STANDARD MODEL AND ITS FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY

Appendix A

(Fermilab, 2014)

14

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Appendix B

(T.P.A., 2015)

15

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16

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