Modern Physics had a quest for sub-atomic particles since late 19th century.

Human beings are always in a quest for the biggest and greatest in the universe as well as the smallest and tiniest. India was the most advanced country in research in ancient times. Indians were well aware of basic nature of atoms. Since the time of Konad, the great philosopher of India and afterwards Aristotle of ancient Greece, Atom has been described as the smallest unit of the universe. In modern times Dalton laid down properties of atom in the 18th century.

Atom of Dalton could not retain its position as the smallest in the twentieth century. Chadwick, Bohr and many others attempted to break the atom and came out with three separate particles namely Electron, Proton and Neutron.

Quantum theory and quantum mechanics, Special and General Theory of Relativity were also developed vis a vis with study and discovery of sub-atomic particles.

In the 20th century those are also broken down and many new particles came in the light such as Positron, Meson, Photon, Neutrino etc. These particles along with previous three are called sub atomic particles and the branch of Physics dealing with the same is called particle physics.

Study of particle physics has helped to invent and discover various technologies. It helped fission and fusion technologies to develop into their next stage. Use of cyclotron machine and bubble chamber enhanced the possibility of research in this field. It also helped a lot in studying cosmic rays, astronomy and cosmology. We can determine half-lives of various particles lead to further research in radio-activity Through this branch of modern physics.

This branch also helped in understanding Quantum physics, Special and General theory of Relativity and space time diagrams. Further advancement through last two decades of 20th century up-to now is related to Quark. According to scientists Quark is the final building block of the universe.

We can wait for further discovery of a particle smaller than quarks.

Hawkins, UK, have tried to make general theory of relativity compatiable to quantam mechanics. This is a great work since Einstien. His theory on black hole and big bang is going to be tested.

What Hawkins speaks theoritically, is to be tested practically.The mega project by ECNR (Big haddron collider) will attempt to collide two proton beams moving towards opposite directions to each other. This will to obtain a new particle Boson, the God particle. The hadrone collider will try to create a situation and temperature similar to that at the time of big bang. Hence, theory of hawkins will be tested in laboratory.

This hub is written to answer a request from a fellow hubber.I believe that you have found this information useful. If it has helped you  in any way please feel free to submit it to Digg, Stumble Upon, Mixx, delicious, facebook or wherever you keep your social book marking links!

You can also mail it to your friends, family or any one else you like to send it. They may find it useful and thank you. I will also appreciate your effort.