Bosons are a category of fundamental particles that play a crucial role in the universe by mediating forces. They include particles like the photon, which carries electromagnetic force, and the W and Z bosons, which are responsible for the weak nuclear force. Unlike fermions, which make up matter, bosons can occupy the same quantum state, allowing them to work together in ways that fermions cannot.
One of the most famous bosons is the Higgs boson, discovered in 2012, which is essential for explaining how particles acquire mass. Bosons are integral to the Standard Model of particle physics, helping us understand the fundamental interactions that govern the behavior of matter and energy in the universe.