Select the correct answer.
A particle has two down quarks and one up quark. What is the charge of that particle?
A. +e
B. 2 -- e / 3
C. 0
D. 2 +- / 3
Answer (2)
The particle consists of two down quarks and one up quark.
The charge of a down quark is − 3 1 e and the charge of an up quark is + 3 2 e .
Calculate the total charge: 2 ( − 3 1 e ) + 3 2 e = 0 .
The total charge of the particle is 0 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given that a particle consists of two down quarks and one up quark. We need to find the total charge of the particle.
Quark Charges The charge of an up quark is + 3 2 e , and the charge of a down quark is − 3 1 e .
Calculating Total Charge To find the total charge of the particle, we add the charges of its constituent quarks:
Total charge = (2 × charge of down quark) + (1 × charge of up quark)
Total charge = 2 × ( − 3 1 e ) + 1 t im es ( 3 2 e )
Final Charge Simplifying the expression, we get:
Total charge = − 3 2 e + 3 2 e = 0
Therefore, the total charge of the particle is 0.
Examples
Understanding the charge of particles composed of quarks is crucial in particle physics. For example, neutrons, which are neutral particles found in the nucleus of atoms, are composed of one up quark and two down quarks. This knowledge helps physicists understand the fundamental properties of matter and the interactions between subatomic particles. By applying the principles of quark composition and charge, we can predict and verify the properties of various particles, contributing to our understanding of the universe.
The charge of the particle consisting of two down quarks and one up quark is 0. Calculating the total charge from the individual quarks yields 0 . Therefore, the correct option is C. 0.
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