With the Physics Unit 4 exam just around the corner (less than 24 hours, guys!

), here’s my shortlist of
what I think are the most important things you need to keep in mind when it comes to Particle Physics:

1) The Standard Model of Particles:

o Any particle is either a Lepton, or a Hadron (Baryons and Mesons).
o All leptons are fundamental particles . Electron is the most widely known lepton. An
anti-electron is designated by e+, unlike other particles, whose anti counterparts are
represented by a bar over their symbols. The three leptons – electron, muon, and tau –
have neutrinos. Neutrinos have zero mass and charge.
o Hadrons (Baryons and Mesons) consist of quarks. Quarks are fundamental particles.
Baryons and Mesons themselves are NOT fundamental particles!
o Baryons consist of three quarks.
o Mesons consist of a quark and an antiquark.
2) Conservation Laws to use to determine viability of interactions. These are the conservations
that you need to take into account when determining whether a particular interaction is
possible or not:
o Charge. The charges on both side of an equation must match. Just keep in mind the
following: Neutrinos have no charge, and antiparticles have opposite charges.
o Lepton Number. All leptons have lepton number (L) +1. All the antiparticles of leptons
have lepton number -1. Hadrons have a lepton number of 0. The sum of lepton numbers
on both sides of an equation must match.
o Baryon Number. All baryons have baryon number (B) +1. All the antiparticles of baryons
have baryon number -1. Leptons have a baryon number of 0. The sum of baryon
numbers on both sides of an equation must match.
o Mass/Energy. The interacting particles must have a sum of mass energy and kinetic
energy that is greater than or equal to the rest mass energies of the products. Any
surplus energy becomes the kinetic energy of the products. Mass deficit itself is NOT a
problem. Remember, mass and energy are equivalent (by the equation E = mc2).
3) Particle Accelerators: Going to keep it short by assuming you already know a bit about what a
Cyclotron and a Linac is, or at least know their structures:
o In a cyclotron, the potential difference is applied between the ‘Dee’s. In the ‘Dee’s,
there is only a perpendicular magnetic field, which makes the particle go around in
circles at a constant speed.
o In a Cyclotron, any charged particle spends a constant amount of time in each of the
‘Dee’s, accounting for increase in speed by increase in radius of rotation (Remember the
formula r = p/Bq, where r is the radius, p is the momentum, B is the magnetic field
strength, and q is the charge on the particle. Increase in speed is followed by an increase
in the radius). The constant time is because the potential difference applied has a
constant frequency. What can cause an error (or put it out of sync)? The relativistic mass
increase effect when particles travel really close to the speed of light.
o In a linac (linear accelerator), the potential difference is applied between the tubes.
Within the tubes, there is no force on the particle, so it travels at a constant speed.
 o In a linac, any charged particle spends a constant amount of time in each of the tubes.
This is because the potential difference applied has a constant frequency. The tubes
grow gradually longer in length to take into account the increasing speed.
4) Miscellaneous: These didn’t seem to fall under any one subheading, so…:
o Particle Detection: In bubble chambers, any charged particle will ionize the molecules
around them, due to which bubbles pop up. The tracks of these bubbles then represent
the tracks of the charged particles. Uncharged particles do not leave a track in a bubble
chamber.
o Electron-volt! (Just a refresher): One electron volt is the energy an electron gains when
it is accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt. So, 1 eV = 1 e x 1 V = 1.6 x 10-19
C x 1 V = 1.6 x 10-19 J (Joules!).
o (Which brings me to) Mass unit conversions. We are all aware of the fear of seeing this
unit: eV/c2. But converting this to kilograms isn’t that hard. Let’s say something has a
mass of a eV/c2. To convert it to kilograms, multiply a by 1.6 x 10-19. Then divide it by the
speed of light squared – (3 x 108)2.