The Particle Zoo

Question 1

what is the standard model

Answer 1

the theory of all the fundamental particles and how they interact

Question 2

what are the subatomic particles now known to be built out of

Answer 2

smaller particles called quarks

Question 3

what are quarks

Answer 3

• the six fundamental particles that interact with each other
• using the strong nuclear force and others

Question 4

what are leptons

Answer 4

• the six fundamental particles which dont interact using the strong nuclear force
• only the other three fundamental forces

Question 5

what is the relationship between quarks and leptons

Answer 5

• each quark has a neutrino associated with it
• which are particles that are similar to it
• these neutrinos are under the family name of leptons

Question 6

what is the main difference between quarks and leptons

Answer 6

• how they interact with each other
• quarks can undergo interactions through the strong nuclear force
• whereas leptons dont feel that force

Question 7

what is the strong nuclear force

Answer 7

• the force that binds nucleons together in the nucleus

- its an extremely short range force between hadrons

Question 8

what are the common examples of hadrons

Answer 8

protons and neutrons

Question 9

what are the generations of matter

Answer 9

• the three groups of pairs of leptons or quarks

- that are grouped in a similar order of magnitude for mass

Question 10

what is the name of the first generation leptons

Answer 10

• electron (e-)

- electron neutrino (v(e))

Question 11

what are the charges of an electron and electron neutrino

Answer 11

• electron = -1

- electron neutrino - 0

Question 12

what is the name of the second generation leptons

Answer 12

• muon (u)
• muon neutrino (v(u))
• the “u” is actually a mu symbol

Question 13

what are the charges of a muon and muon neutrino

Answer 13

• muon = -1

- mon neutrino = 0

Question 14

what is the name of the third generation leptons

Answer 14

• tau (T)

- tau neutrino (v(T))

Question 15

what are the charges of a tau and tau neutrino

Answer 15

• tau = -1

- tau neutrino = 0

Question 16

what is the name of the first generation quarks

Answer 16

• up (u)

- down (d)

Question 17

what are the charges of an up and down quark

Answer 17

• up = +2/3

- down = -1/3

Question 18

what is the name of the second generation quarks

Answer 18

• strange (s)

- charm (c)

Question 19

what are the charges of a strange and charm quark

Answer 19

• strange = -1/3

- charm = +2/3

Question 20

what is the name of the third generation quarks

Answer 20

• bottom (b)

- top (t)

Question 21

what are the charges of a bottom and top quark

Answer 21

• bottom = -1/3

- top = +2/3

Question 22

what do all the leptons and quarks have

Answer 22

an anti-particle

Question 23

what is an anti-particle

Answer 23

• a particle with the same mass as its original

- but all their properties are opposite of those or the normal matter particle

Question 24

what is the symbol used to denote an anit-particle

Answer 24

a bar on top of the particle letter/symbol

Question 25

what is the only exception (we need to know of) regarding the anti-particle notation

Answer 25

• a positron symbol doesnt have a bar on top of an e

- its just e+