Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2023, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 429-433.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2023.06.006

• Science for the Future • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Higgs mechanism: origin of mass for elementary particles

ZHU Hongwei   

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
  • Received:2023-09-17 Online:2023-12-25 Published:2023-12-21

Abstract: The Higgs mechanism is a physical mechanism that understands the origin of the masses of elementary particles. This article introduces the basic concepts of Higgs mechanism and spontaneous symmetry breaking, and explains their physical connotations using the elementary mathematical knowledge such as polynomial function. Finally, the significance of symmetry ideas in modern scientific development is discussed.