Particle Physics

Particle Physics

1. What is the purpose of decay?

   • In order to make the atom/element more stable

2. A Feynman diagram shows the existence of particles through time

3. How do the values for mass number and atomic number change when a beta- particle is emitted?

   • The mass number stays the same and the atomic number increases by 1

4. A photon is a 'packet of energy' or a light particle. All electro-magnetic waves can be photons

5. What are the 2 'families' of particles and what are the similarities/differences?

   • The Hadrons and the Leptons. The leptons are fundamental particles, meaning that they are not made up of quarks. Hadrons are non-fundamental, meaning they are made up of quarks. Hadrons have 2 sub-groups: the Baryons and the Mesons. They can both be made of matter and anti-matter. They can also bot be affected by gravitational interaction and electromagnetic interaction

6. Name all the Leptons and Hadrons.

   • Hadrons: Mesons - Kaon and Pion, Baryons - Proton and Neutron
   • Leptons: Electron, Electron neutrino, Muon, Muon neutrino, Tau, Tau Neutrino

7. To check the conservation of a reaction, you can check: Lepton number, Baryon number, Charge

8. What are the 4 Fundamental forces?

   • Gravity, Electromagnetic Force, Strong Nuclear Force and Weak Nuclear Force
     • What is the Strong Nuclear Force?
       • The force that prevents the protons inside the nucleus from repelling each other and causing the atom to 'fall apart'. it is between 0.5 and 3 fm. It holds the protons and neuteons together.
     • What is the Weak Nuclear Force?
       • This is responsible for Beta- decay. It is mediated by W and Z bosons shown in Feynman Diagrams

9. What are the different flavours of quark?

   • Up - Down - Strange - Charm - Top - Bottom

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