Testing a conjecture on the origin of the standard model

Abstract

A simple Planck-scale model of nature appears to yield the entire standard model of particle physics, including its fundamental constants. The conjecture derives from Dirac’s proposal to describe fermions as tethered objects and models elementary particles as rational tangles. The tangle model appears to explain the Dirac equation, the principle of least action, the observed particle spectrum of fermions and bosons, and the three observed gauge interactions with their Lie groups and all their other properties. In a natural way, the specific tangles for each elementary particle define spin, quantum numbers and all other properties. No aspect of the standard model remains unexplained. Rational tangles appear to imply all the observed propagators and interaction vertices in Feynman diagrams. Other propagators or vertices are excluded. The tangle model thus yields each term of the full Lagrangian of the standard model. Over 100 predictions and tests about physics beyond the standard model are deduced from the conjecture. The predictions cover magnetic monopoles, the weak interaction, the quark model, non-perturbative effects, glueballs, effects of gravity, and more. The predictions agree with all observations performed so far. The conjectured tangles for the elementary particles imply specific Planck-scale processes that occur during propagation and at interaction vertices. These processes determine particle masses, mixing angles and coupling constants. Approximate estimates are possible; ways to improve the calculations are pointed out.