I'm fascinated by particle physics, but I can't quite grasp quarks. What are they some kind of energy? Also, (in plain English) why do they have funny names like up, down, left, right, etc.?
2006-11-30 07:36:47 · 6 answers · asked by toko 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Honestly, we don't know.
2006-11-30 07:40:38 · answer #1 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Quarks composition is up for debate. Michio Kaku says there are twistings of space-time. Space-time being the fabric of the universe. The names come from uncreative scientists who like simplicity amidst all their complicated equations, hypotheses, and theories.
The 14 dimensional manipulation of space-time known as strings ( a perfectly misleading name) is also thought by many scientists to be what quarks are made of. Not sugar or spice.
There are pop and academic versions of most works readily available by a trip to local library.
2006-11-30 15:40:54 · answer #2 · answered by fillblanks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quarks are the fundamental particles that make up all hadrons (a class of particle). They have no confirmed internal structure.
As for the funny names, I guess we physicists are just wierd. :p
2006-11-30 15:41:03 · answer #3 · answered by Robert A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't know whether quarks are fundamental or can be subdivided. We needed names to distinguish the various types, but didn't know enough about them to give them meaningful names. Some related pairs are obvious: up/down, top/bottom. But strange/charm is one you just have to know.
2006-11-30 17:43:38 · answer #4 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quarks, like everything else in existence, are made of energy.
The names are like that because all the scientific sounding names, like alpha, beta, delta, etc... are already taken, so they started using regular words to describe things.
2006-11-30 15:46:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they are what make up protins and elecrons
2006-11-30 23:10:34 · answer #6 · answered by rebbleghostrider 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋