YAD-015 · Elementary particles Sample material

Fundamental interactions

The four fundamental interactions: electromagnetic (photon, quantum electrodynamics), strong (quarks, colour, gluons, quantum chromodynamics), weak (W± and Z⁰ bosons, parity violation, electroweak unification) and gravitational; the Standard Model.

Estimated time: 3 h 4 activities

Learning objective

Compare the fundamental interactions by carrier, relative strength, range and characteristic time.
Master the quark model and hadron composition, and the concepts of colour and confinement.
Understand the features of the weak interaction and the idea of electroweak theory.
Know the structure of the Standard Model and its open problems.

Expected outcomes

Can calculate the charge and other quantum numbers of a hadron from its quark content.
Can find the range from the mass of the exchanged boson.
Can determine from lifetime and conservation laws which interaction drives a process.
Can compare the relative strengths of the interactions numerically.

Interactive modelThe four fundamental interactions
Interactive modelExpansion of the Universe: Hubble's law

Activities

Lecture
Lecture · 1 h 20 min · required
Types of particle interactions. The electromagnetic interaction. The strong interaction. The weak interaction
Practice · 1 h 20 min · required
The expansion of the Universe. Hubble's law
Self-study · 6 h 40 min · optional
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • Types of particle interactions. The electromagnetic interaction. The strong interaction. The weak interaction
  • Final test — at least 70%