Topic 12: Quantum and nuclear physics

Question 1

Which interaction is responsible for the decay of uds –> udu and why?

Answer 1

• Weak nuclear force
• Strange quark changes to an up quark
• Strangeness is not conserved in weak nuclear force

Question 2

Outline one benefit of international cooperation in the construction or use of high-energy particle accelerators.

Answer 2

• Lowers cost for individual nations as shared price
• International co-operation leads to international understanding
• Cooperation always allows science to proceed
• Large quantities of data are produced that more than one research group can handle