DP Physics Questionbank

Description

Nature of science:

Predictions: Our present understanding of matter is called the Standard Model, consisting of six quarks and six leptons. Quarks were postulated on a completely mathematical basis in order to explain patterns in properties of particles. (1.9)

Collaboration: It was much later that large-scale collaborative experimentation led to the discovery of the predicted fundamental particles. (4.3)

Understandings:

• Quarks, leptons and their antiparticles
• Hadrons, baryons and mesons
• The conservation laws of charge, baryon number, lepton number and strangeness
• The nature and range of the strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force and electromagnetic force
• Exchange particles
• Feynman diagrams
• Confinement
• The Higgs boson

Applications and skills:

• Describing the Rutherford-Geiger-Marsden experiment that led to the discovery of the nucleus
• Applying conservation laws in particle reactions
• Describing protons and neutrons in terms of quarks
• Comparing the interaction strengths of the fundamental forces, including gravity
• Describing the mediation of the fundamental forces through exchange particles
• Sketching and interpreting simple Feynman diagrams
• Describing why free quarks are not observed

Guidance:

• A qualitative description of the standard model is required

Data booklet reference:

International-mindedness:

• Research into particle physics requires ever-increasing funding, leading to debates in governments and international research organizations on the fair allocation of precious financial resources

Theory of knowledge:

• Does the belief in the existence of fundamental particles mean that it is justifiable to see physics as being more important than other areas of knowledge?

Utilization:

• An understanding of particle physics is needed to determine the final fate of the universe (see Physics option sub-topics D.3 and D.4)

Aims:

• Aim 1: the research that deals with the fundamental structure of matter is international in nature and is a challenging and stimulating adventure for those who take part
• Aim 4: particle physics involves the analysis and evaluation of very large amounts of data
• Aim 6: students could investigate the scattering angle of alpha particles as a function of the aiming error, or the minimum distance of approach as a function of the initial kinetic energy of the alpha particle
• Aim 8: scientific and government organizations are asked if the funding for particle physics research could be spent on other research or social needs

Directly related questions

• 18M.2.SL.TZ2.6c.ii: Identify particle V.
• 18M.2.SL.TZ2.6c.i: Draw a labelled arrow to complete the Feynman diagram.
• 18M.2.SL.TZ2.6a: Rutherford constructed a model of the atom based on the results of the alpha particle scattering...
• 18M.1.HL.TZ2.20: Identify the conservation law violated in the proposed reaction.                                ...
• 18M.1.SL.TZ1.24: Which Feynman diagram shows beta-plus (β+) decay?
• 18M.1.HL.TZ1.21: What is correct about the Higgs Boson? A.     It was predicted before it was observed. B.    ...
• 17N.2.SL.TZ0.2b: Distinguish between hadrons and leptons.
• 17N.1.SL.TZ0.25: The Feynman diagram shows a particle interaction involving a W– boson. Which particles are...
• 17M.2.SL.TZ1.5c: Outline one benefit of international cooperation in the construction or use of high-energy...
• 17M.2.SL.TZ1.5b.iii: Identify the exchange particle in this decay.
• 17M.2.SL.TZ1.5b.ii: Draw arrow heads on the lines representing \({\bar u}\) and d in the \({\pi ^ - }\).
• 17M.2.SL.TZ1.5a: State the quark structures of a meson and a baryon.
• 17M.1.SL.TZ2.27: The reaction p+ + n0 → p+ + \(\pi \)0 does not occur because it violates the conservation law...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.15: Two pulses are travelling towards each other. What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses...
• 16N.2.SL.TZ0.4a: A particular K meson has a quark structure \({\rm{\bar u}}\)s. State the charge on this meson.
• 16M.2.HL.TZ0.8c: Quarks were hypothesized long before their existence was experimentally verified. Discuss the...
• 16M.2.HL.TZ0.8a: Show that lepton number is conserved in this decay.
• 16N.2.HL.TZ0.4b: The Feynman diagram shows the changes that occur during beta minus (β–) decay. Label the...
• 16N.2.HL.TZ0.4a: A particular K meson has a quark structure \({\rm{\bar u}}\)s. State the charge, strangeness and...
• 16M.2.SL.TZ0.6c: Quarks were hypothesized long before their existence was experimentally verified. Discuss the...
• 16N.1.SL.TZ0.27: As quarks separate from each other within a hadron, the interaction between them becomes larger....
• 16M.1.SL.TZ0.27: ...
• 16M.1.SL.TZ0.26: Which of the following lists three fundamental forces in increasing order of strength? A....
• 15M.1.SL.TZ1.22: Geiger and Marsden bombarded a thin gold foil with alpha particles. They observed that a small...
• 15M.1.HL.TZ2.26: The structure of the atom was investigated by firing alpha particles from a source at a thin foil...
• 15M.3.SL.TZ1.13b: Outline, with reference to the strong interaction, why hadrons are produced in the reaction.
• 15M.3.SL.TZ1.13a: Draw a Feynman diagram for this interaction.
• 15M.3.HL.TZ1.22a: When a free neutron decays to a proton, an electron is one of the decay products. (i) State the...
• 15M.3.HL.TZ1.25a: State the quark structure of the K+.
• 15M.3.HL.TZ1.25b: Deduce one further quantity in this decay that is (i) conserved. (ii) not conserved.
• 15M.3.HL.TZ2.23a: (i) State what is meant by an antiparticle. (ii) Some particles are identical to their...
• 15M.3.HL.TZ2.25b: The reaction \({\bar v_\mu } + {e^ - } \to {\bar v_\mu } + {e^ - }\) is an example of a neutral...
• 15M.3.HL.TZ2.23b: The Feynman diagram represents the...
• 15M.3.HL.TZ2.25a: State one conservation law that would be violated, if the following reactions were to occur. (i)...
• 14M.1.HL.TZ1.31: An alpha particle is directed head-on towards a nucleus of an isotope of iron. A second alpha...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.22a.iii: Explain whether this interaction involves the \({{\text{W}}^ - }\), \({{\text{W}}^ + }\) or...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.20a: A lambda baryon \({\Lambda ^0}\) is composed of the three quarks uds. Show that the charge is 0...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.20b.i: Discuss, with reference to strangeness and baryon number, why this proposal is...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.20b.ii: Another interaction is \[{\Lambda ^0} \to p + {\pi ^ - }.\] In this interaction strangeness is...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.9a: Identify particle A.
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.9c: Outline how the concept of strangeness applies to the decay of a K+ meson shown in this Feynman...
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.22a.i: Describe what is meant by a virtual particle.
• 15N.3.HL.TZ0.22a.ii: Draw a Feynman diagram which represents this interaction.
• 15N.2.SL.TZ0.4a: Outline how the evidence supplied by the Geiger–Marsden experiment supports the nuclear model of...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ1.9b: (i) Identify the interaction whose exchange particle is represented by B. (ii) Identify the...
• 14M.3.HL.TZ1.26b: Outline how the observation of the interaction represented by the diagram with the dotted line...
• 15N.2.SL.TZ0.4b: Outline why classical physics does not permit a model of an electron orbiting the nucleus.
• 14M.3.HL.TZ1.26a: State (i) the name of the exchange particle represented by the dotted line.(ii) one difference...
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.13a: A lambda baryon \({\Lambda ^0}\) is composed of the three quarks uds. Show that the charge is 0...
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.13b.i: Discuss, with reference to strangeness and baryon number, why this proposal is...
• 15N.3.SL.TZ0.13b.ii: Another interaction is \[{\Lambda ^0} \to p + {\pi ^ - }\] In this interaction strangeness is...
• 14N.3.SL.TZ0.13a.i: Identify the type of fundamental interactions associated with the exchange particles in the table.
• 14N.3.SL.TZ0.13a.ii: State why \({\pi ^ + }\) mesons are not considered to be elementary particles.
• 14M.3.SL.TZ2.11b.i: Explain why the virtual particle in this Feynman diagram must be a weak interaction exchange...
• 14M.3.SL.TZ2.11c: A student claims that the \({{\text{K}}^ + }\) is produced in neutron decays according to the...
• 12N.1.SL.TZ0.29: In the Geiger–Marsden experiment alpha particles were directed at a thin gold foil. Which of the...
• 12M.1.HL.TZ2.32: Which of the following is a correct list of particles upon which the strong nuclear force may...
• 11M.1.SL.TZ2.22: Which nucleons in a nucleus are involved in the Coulomb interaction and the...
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.11a: State what is meant by the term elementary particle.
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.12b: The Feynman diagram shows a quark change that gives rise to a possible decay of the Ω–...
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.11b: The strong interaction between two nucleons has a range of about 10–15 m. (i) Identify the boson...
• 13M.3.SL.TZ1.12a: Deduce the strangeness of the Ω– particle.
• 13M.1.SL.TZ2.22: Which particle is acted on by both the strong nuclear force and the Coulomb force? A....
• 13M.3.HL.TZ1.23a: (i) State what is meant by the term elementary particle. (ii) Identify another elementary...
• 13M.3.HL.TZ1.25c: The interaction in (a) can also occur via the weak interaction with neutral current...
• 13M.3.HL.TZ2.9a: In a particular experiment, moving kaon mesons collide with stationary protons. The following...
• 12M.3.SL.TZ1.12a: Outline how interactions in particle physics are understood in terms of exchange particles.
• 12M.3.SL.TZ1.12e: The pion is unstable and decays through the weak interaction into a neutrino and an...
• 12M.3.SL.TZ1.12c: Determine whether or not strangeness is conserved in this decay.
• 12M.3.HL.TZ1.19a: A muon decays into an electron and two other particles according to the reaction equation...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ2.12b: State, with reference to their properties, two differences between a photon and a W boson.
• 11M.3.SL.TZ2.12a: Identify the particles labelled A and B.
• 11M.3.SL.TZ2.13b: The following particle interaction is proposed. \[p + {\pi ^ - } \to {K^ - } + {\pi ^ + }\] In...
• 11N.3.HL.TZ0.20b: Muons can decay via the weak interaction into electrons and neutrinos. One such decay...
• 11N.3.SL.TZ0.10a: State (i) what is meant by an elementary particle. (ii) to which class of elementary particles...
• 11N.3.SL.TZ0.10c: An electron is one of the particles produced in the decay of a free neutron into a proton. An...
• 12N.3.SL.TZ0.13a: State the name of a particle that is its own antiparticle.
• 12N.3.SL.TZ0.13b: The meson K0 consists of a d quark and an anti s quark. The K0 decays into two pions as shown in...
• 12N.3.HL.TZ0.22a: State the name of a particle that is its own antiparticle.
• 12N.3.HL.TZ0.22b: The meson K0 consists of a d quark and an anti s quark. The K0 decays into two pions as shown in...
• 12N.3.HL.TZ0.24a: A student states that “the strong nuclear force is the strongest of the four fundamental...
• 12N.3.HL.TZ0.24c: State two other conclusions that may be reached from deep inelastic scattering experiments.
• 12M.3.SL.TZ2.12a: Suggest why the kaon is classified as a boson.
• 12M.3.SL.TZ2.12b: A kaon decays into an antimuon and a neutrino, K+ →μ ++v . The Feynman diagram for the decay is...
• 12N.3.HL.TZ0.24b: Describe how deep inelastic scattering experiments support your answer to (a).
• 13N.3.SL.TZ0.10c: The π0 particle can decay with the emission of two gamma rays, each one of which can subsequently...
• 13N.3.SL.TZ0.10d: Discuss whether strangeness is conserved in the decay of the Σ+ particle in (a).
• 12M.3.HL.TZ2.23b: A moving proton is incident on a stationary pion, producing a kaon (K meson) and an unknown...
• 12M.3.HL.TZ2.24b: Evidence for the Higgs boson might be discovered at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN....
• 13N.3.SL.TZ0.10a: The Σ+ particle can decay into a π0 particle and another particle Y as shown in the Feynman...
• 11M.2.SL.TZ1.7c: Stable nuclei with a mass number greater than about 20, contain more neutrons than protons. By...
• 11M.3.SL.TZ1.12a: State what is meant by an exchange particle.
• 11M.3.SL.TZ1.12c: A meson called the pion was detected in cosmic ray reactions in 1947 by Powell and Occhialini....
• 09N.1.HL.TZ0.29: Protons and neutrons are held together in the nucleus by the A.     electrostatic force. B.   ...
• 10M.1.SL.TZ1.23: Which of the following is true in respect of both the Coulomb interaction and the strong...
• 10N.1.SL.TZ0.23: The Geiger–Marsden experiment provides evidence for A.     the existence of discrete atomic...
• 09N.1.SL.TZ0.23: In the Geiger–Marsden experiment \(\alpha \)-particles are scattered by gold nuclei. The...
• 10N.2.HL.TZ0.A5b.ii: A nucleus of \(_{\;{\text{79}}}^{{\text{199}}}{\text{Au}}\) decays to a nucleus of...
• 10N.2.SL.TZ0.B1Part2.b: (i)     Outline, in terms of the forces acting between nucleons, why, for large stable nuclei...
• 10N.3.HL.TZ0.J3a: State what is meant by the standard model.
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D2b: The electron is a lepton and its antiparticle is the positron. The following reaction can take...
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D2a: (i)     elementary particle. (ii)     antiparticle of a lepton.
• 10N.3.SL.TZ0.D2c: (i)     quark structure of the \({\pi ^ + }\) meson. (ii)     reason why the following reaction...