strange quark
Definition
Noun: A type of elementary particle, specifically a flavor of quark, characterized by a charge of -1/3, a mass approximately 988 times that of an electron, and a quantum property called "strangeness" with a value of -1. It is a fundamental constituent of matter found in hadrons, such as certain mesons and baryons.
Usage
The term "strange quark" is used in the context of particle physics to classify and describe one of the six known flavors of quarks. It is often discussed in relation to the properties of subatomic particles. - The kaon is a meson composed of a strange quark and an up antiquark. - Protons and neutrons do not contain strange quarks, but other baryons, like the lambda particle, do.
Advanced Usage
- Strangeness: This is the quantum number associated with the strange quark. The discovery of particles with a long lifetime, which was "strange" to physicists at the time, led to the naming of this quark and its property.
- The concept of strangeness was introduced to explain the unusual behavior of certain particles produced in cosmic rays.
Variants and Related Words
- Strange (adj): In particle physics, this adjective is used to denote particles containing one or more strange quarks or antiquarks.
- A strange particle, such as a kaon, contains a strange quark or antiquark.
- Strangeness (n): The quantum number conserved by the strong and electromagnetic forces but not by the weak force.
- The decay of a kaon violates strangeness conservation.
Synonyms
- s quark: A common abbreviated notation for the strange quark in particle physics formulas and diagrams.
Related Concepts
- Quark: The general category of elementary particles to which the strange quark belongs. The other five flavors are up, down, charm, top, and bottom.
- Standard Model: The theoretical framework in particle physics that describes the fundamental particles, including quarks like the strange quark, and their interactions.
Noun
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a quark with an electric charge of -1/3 and a mass 988 times that of an electron and a strangeness of -1
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