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PHY401Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Elementary Particle Physics

This course provides an introduction to elementary particle physics. It explores the fundamental building blocks of matter, their properties, and interactions. The course covers the classification of elementary particles, including quarks, leptons, and hadrons. Students will learn about conservation laws, particle interactions, resonance, and symmetry models. The course also examines the carriers of fundamental forces and their roles in particle physics.

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52h
Study Time
13
Weeks
4h
Per Week
intermediate
Math Level
Course Keywords
Elementary ParticlesQuarksLeptonsHadronsInteractions

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📊
Math Level
Moderate Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Elementary Particles

2

Particle Families

3

Quarks and Leptons

4

Hadrons, Mesons, and Baryons

5

Conservation Laws

6

Particle Interactions

7

Resonances

8

Symmetry Models

Total Topics8 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Introductory Physics

Calculus

Linear Algebra

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Research Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Data Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Science Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Physics Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Accelerator Operator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Research InstitutionsAcademiaParticle AcceleratorsNuclear EnergyMedical Physics

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

3h

Unit 1: Types of Elementary Particles

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to elementary particles.
  • •Understand the objectives of studying elementary particles.
  • •Define elementary particles and their properties.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

3h

Unit 1: Origin / Production of Elementary Particles

3 study hours
  • •Study the origin and production of elementary particles.
  • •Identify and understand the different particle detectors.
  • •Explain how elementary particles are detected.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 1: Particle Families

4 study hours
  • •Learn about the different particle families: quarks, leptons, hadrons, mesons, baryons, and hyperons.
  • •Understand the properties and characteristics of each family.
  • •Study the decay modes of hyperons.
Week
4

Module 2:

3h

Unit 1: Conservation Laws

3 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of conservation laws in particle physics.
  • •Classify the different types of conservation laws.
  • •Study exact conservation laws: energy, linear momentum, angular momentum, and charge.
Week
5

Module 2:

3h

Unit 1: Description of Each Law

3 study hours
  • •Study exact conservation laws: baryon number, lepton numbers, and CPT.
  • •Understand the origin of exact conservation laws.
  • •Learn about approximate conservation laws.
Week
6

Module 2:

4h

Unit 1: Approximate Conservation Laws

4 study hours
  • •Study approximate conservation laws: isospin, strangeness, and parity.
  • •Understand C Parity and G Parity.
  • •Learn about hypercharge.
Week
7

Module 2:

3h

Unit 1: Uses of Conservation Laws

3 study hours
  • •Understand how conservation laws are used to test reaction equations.
  • •Practice testing reaction equations using different conservation laws.
  • •Review case studies of reaction equations.
Week
8

Module 3:

3h

Unit 1: Interactions, Resonances and Symmetry Models

3 study hours
  • •Study the different types of interactions in particle physics: gravitational, electromagnetic, weak, and strong.
  • •Understand the carriers of each interaction.
  • •Learn about the properties of the carriers.
Week
9

Module 3:

3h

Unit 1: Gravitational Interactions

3 study hours
  • •Study gravitational interactions and their carriers (gravitons).
  • •Understand electromagnetic interactions and their carriers (photons).
  • •Review the properties of gravitons and photons.
Week
10

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Weak Interactions

4 study hours
  • •Study weak interactions and their carriers (W and Z bosons).
  • •Understand strong interactions and their carriers (gluons).
  • •Review the properties of W and Z bosons and gluons.
Week
11

Module 3:

3h

Unit 1: Resonances

3 study hours
  • •Understand what resonances are in particle physics.
  • •Study examples of resonances and their properties.
  • •Learn about the relationship between resonance width and particle lifetime.
Week
12

Module 3:

3h

Unit 1: Symmetry Models

3 study hours
  • •Study symmetry models used in particle physics.
  • •Understand the SU(2) model and its properties.
  • •Learn about multiplets and weight diagrams.
Week
13

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Unitary Symmetry

4 study hours
  • •Study the SU(3) model and its properties.
  • •Understand super-multiplets and their characteristics.
  • •Review weight diagrams in the context of the SU(3) model.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create flashcards for each elementary particle, listing its properties (charge, spin, mass).

2

Practice applying conservation laws (charge, baryon number, lepton number) to various particle reactions.

3

Draw diagrams illustrating the fundamental interactions and their corresponding carrier particles.

4

Review the mathematical concepts behind the SU(2) and SU(3) symmetry models.

5

Solve all Tutor-Marked Assignments and review the solutions thoroughly.

6

Focus on understanding the differences between exact and approximate conservation laws.

7

Create concept maps linking particle families, interactions, and conservation laws.

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