Everything that we see is made from fundamental particles. Well, that's what everyone says at least. Unfortunately, the term "fundamental particle" has become somewhat of a cliché in physics! Starting with a cliché is not a very clever thing to do as the very meaning is lost straight away, however we can fix that and keep a good tight hold of the meaning (it's important).
Fundamental particles are very interesting, but what is meant by "fundamental", and what is meant by "particle". We see what they mean via the free and friendly Google:
We get to the answer by piecing these definitions together: very small pieces of matter that form the basis of all other matter. So they actually do make everything in the universe. This is why particles should be the first step for someone learning physics.
The usual analogy that follows is to say that fundamental particles are like bricks in a building. Let's not go down that street. Let's instead opt for a more colourful analogy. Here's an analogy that you may be more familiar with:
10 at night you're sat in a bar,
well-dressed with a drink in hand.
A girl you know, lights up the room.
All the boys are begging for her,
trying hard to grab her beauty,
to throw some charm that won't win.
It's strange, this girl, she's looking at you
You glance up then down at her drink.
The truth is, she's got the idea.
She's got the right idea.
So, what were the fundamentals of this courting process?
Beauty - Either as physical or personal attraction.
Charm - Courting usually has some charm.
Strange - The feeling if it starts to go well.
Up - Suggestive look (or something else), usually before...
Down - Suggestive look (or something else).
Truth - The fact of success, if it's gone well.
Courting can be done with all or just a few of these fundamentals.
The punchline of this analogy is that all of those fundamentals are actually the names of real fundamental particles, collectively known as "quarks". (Although Truth and Beauty are more commonly known as Top and Bottom.)
There are many more fundamental particles than those six quarks. But you don't need to learn them all, you just need to appreciate their importance. A good follow up to is to watch "A Crash Course in Particle Physics" by Professor Brian Cox. Professor Cox is particle physicist and former keyboard player of D:Ream (things can only get better...). He has played a large part in advancing physics in the media, and he is also one of the sexiest men in the world, according to People Magazine. Perhaps he takes part in a lot of "courting"!
Stay tuned for your next Skull particle fix.
Seattle rock band, Minus the Bear, website:
http://minusthebear.com/
Professor Cox as one of the sexiest men:
http://atlas.ch/news/2009/sexiest-physicist.html
Read More »
Fundamental particles are very interesting, but what is meant by "fundamental", and what is meant by "particle". We see what they mean via the free and friendly Google:
We get to the answer by piecing these definitions together: very small pieces of matter that form the basis of all other matter. So they actually do make everything in the universe. This is why particles should be the first step for someone learning physics.
The usual analogy that follows is to say that fundamental particles are like bricks in a building. Let's not go down that street. Let's instead opt for a more colourful analogy. Here's an analogy that you may be more familiar with:
The process of courting
With the help of some modified Minus the Bear lyrics, picture the following scenario:10 at night you're sat in a bar,
well-dressed with a drink in hand.
A girl you know, lights up the room.
All the boys are begging for her,
trying hard to grab her beauty,
to throw some charm that won't win.
It's strange, this girl, she's looking at you
You glance up then down at her drink.
The truth is, she's got the idea.
She's got the right idea.
So, what were the fundamentals of this courting process?
Beauty - Either as physical or personal attraction.
Charm - Courting usually has some charm.
Strange - The feeling if it starts to go well.
Up - Suggestive look (or something else), usually before...
Down - Suggestive look (or something else).
Truth - The fact of success, if it's gone well.
Courting can be done with all or just a few of these fundamentals.
The punchline of this analogy is that all of those fundamentals are actually the names of real fundamental particles, collectively known as "quarks". (Although Truth and Beauty are more commonly known as Top and Bottom.)
There are many more fundamental particles than those six quarks. But you don't need to learn them all, you just need to appreciate their importance. A good follow up to is to watch "A Crash Course in Particle Physics" by Professor Brian Cox. Professor Cox is particle physicist and former keyboard player of D:Ream (things can only get better...). He has played a large part in advancing physics in the media, and he is also one of the sexiest men in the world, according to People Magazine. Perhaps he takes part in a lot of "courting"!
Stay tuned for your next Skull particle fix.
Seattle rock band, Minus the Bear, website:
http://minusthebear.com/
Professor Cox as one of the sexiest men:
http://atlas.ch/news/2009/sexiest-physicist.html