6 September 2017
What if the diminutive electron isn’t as small as it gets?
We thought electrons and their two mysterious siblings were fundamental particles. Now there are hints that we need to go smaller still to understand matter
By Abigail Beall
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23531420-700-matter-mystery-why-do-particles-come-in-flavours/ONE in three people reading these words will do so on a device powered by electrons. To make that possible, we go to incredible lengths: generating electrons in vast power stations, stringing cables across the countryside to bear them to us, and installing sockets in the walls of every room. In short, we depend on them – which makes it a shade embarrassing that we don’t fully grasp what they are.
