Is the fundamental building block of matter actually permanent?

Space · Published 31 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Standard Model suggests protons are stable, but scientists are searching for evidence that they might eventually break down. This video explores the limits of our current physics and why testing this theory is a priority for modern research.

Dr. Don Lincoln from Fermilab discusses the tension between our most successful physical theory—the Standard Model—and the possibility of proton decay. While the model currently predicts that protons are stable, exploring what happens if they aren't could reveal new physics beyond our current understanding.

The video contextualizes this search within the framework of high-energy physics and introduces the DUNE experiment as a key tool for investigating these fundamental questions.

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