Elementary Particles: Quarks and Photons

Question 1

Quarks

Answer 1

• Quarks are elementary particles smaller than neutrons and do not have a defined size.
• Quarks are represented as the smallest size in the size-time explorer.

Question 2

Photons

Answer 2

• Photons are packets of energy with properties of both waves and particles.
• Photons have wavelengths and frequencies, some of which are visible as different colored light.

Question 3

Speed of Light and Photons

Answer 3

Speed of Light and Photons
Speed of Light in a Vacuum
The speed of light in a vacuum is quoted in meters per second (m s^-1).
To calculate how many seconds it takes a photon to travel a meter, invert the relationship to get seconds per meter (s m^-1).
Time for Light to Travel from Sun to Earth
The Earth is about 1.5 × 10^11 meters from the Sun.
Calculate the time it takes light from the Sun to reach the Earth.
Frequency of Photons Absorbed by Plants

The relationship between photon wavelength (λ), frequency (f), and the speed of light in a vacuum (c) is given by λf = c.

Use this equation to determine the frequency of red light photons absorbed by plants.

Question 4

Absorption of Photons by Plants

Answer 4

Visible Light Spectrum and Absorption
Figures in the slides showed the visible light spectrum of photons with different wavelengths.
Chlorophyll and proteins in photosynthetic plants absorb photons with specific wavelengths.
Efficiency of Photosynthesis

The efficiency of photosynthesis is related to how elementary particles move through leaves.

Question 5

Quarks?

Answer 5

Tiny particles without a defined size

Question 6

Photons

Answer 6

Energy packets with wave and particle properties