It has been many decades since I've thought in detail about quarks. As a
high school teacher it has not been part of our state requirements. With the
LHC coming on line and beginning to make headlines, I thought I'd teach a
little about quarks and the standard model of particles when I get to
electromagnetism. I beginning to write my notes out as a handouts with some
web animations for my students ...(and I'm sure I'm over preparing.)
However, I've been doing a smattering of reading around the net and have a
few questions that I can't settle on a clear answer, perhaps someone can
help.
Question 1 ..with parts
Protons feel the electromagnetic force due to an exchange of gauge bosons,
(the photon). Why is this exchange particle important? Is the particle a
signal to one proton that a like charge is near? And do we know what the
proton, or any particle, does in response to receiving an "exchange
particle?"
Question 2
A couple of sites I ran across, e.g. http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0606093 ,
mentioned "Quark Stars." Are there any other applications/explanations using
quarks? I trying to come up with tangible reasons for studying quarks that
go beyond their cool strangeness? ;-)
Question 3
Finally, I've been reading various edu sites on the net about quarks and the
standard model. Does anyone have a recommendation of a intro level book or
article(s) that I could read for more information?
Question 4
In Your Humble Opinion, what Is the most important "thing" high school
students should remember about quarks and/or the "standard model?"
Thanks in advance,
-Tony
--
Tony Wayne
Albemarle High School
twayne@k12albemarle.org http://www.mrwaynesclass.com