The Universe at the Smallest Level: The Forces that Rule Our World (Part 2)

This is the second part in a series of classes designed to introduce learners to particle physics. In part 1 I introduced learners to the Standard Model of Particle Physics and helped learners understand the matter and forces that cause everything in our universe to exist.  In this class, part 2, we will explore the properties of particles, as well as how particles interact using the different forces.  Properties discussed will include spin, mass, electromagnetic (QED), and chromatic (QCD).  We will take a deeper look into how the quantum forces (electromagnetic force, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force) effect particles, and why some particles are not effected by all forces.

Week 1: Review of Standard Model
~ Review the Standard Model of Particle Physics (from Part 1)
~ Learn the quantum meaning of applying force

Week 2: Electromagnetic Force (QED)
~ Understand the quantum reasons for attraction and repulsion between electric charges
~ Listen as I describe the properties of photons and why they only impact certain particles

Week 3: QED Reactions Between Particles
~ Understand what Feynman diagrams are and how they show reactions between particles
~ Sketch several Feynman diagrams and be able to explain the reactions they represent
~ Learn about virtual particles, how they act, and their presence in Feynman diagrams

Week 4: Strong Nuclear Force (QCD)
~ Understand the basics of how the strong force, which is called quantum chromodynamics (qcd)
~ Listen as I explain the development of qcd and how we now understand the strong nuclear force
~ Sketch examples of protons and neutrons that have accurate quarks and include the correct qcd (also called color charge)

Week 5: QCD Reactions Between Particles
~ Strong force-carrying gluons (types of color charge they can carry)
~ Quarks change color through gluon exchange
~ Sketch Feynman diagrams to show the ways quarks and gluons carry and/or change their color charge

Week 6: Spin Property of Particles
~ Listen and ask/answer questions about the spin property of particles
~ Sketch a model of the experiment that proved that particles have spin
~ Learn the spin of the particles in the Standard Model

Week 7: Mass Property of Particles
~ Understand the relationship between mass and energy
~ Learn the mass of the particles in the Standard Model
~ Understand how probability helps us understand mass of particles

Week 8: Weak Nuclear Force and Particle Decay
~ Understand how particles decay through the weak force
~ Sketch sample Feynman diagrams showing particle decay
~ Predict further decays

Week 9: Weak Nuclear Force and Radiation
~ Understand that beta radiation in atoms is caused by the weak force
~ Sketch example of how an atom decays and explain the result of the decay (radioactivity)
~ Use what you learn to explain why some elements are radioactive and others are not

Week 10: Gravitational Force and its Unknowns in Particle Physics
~ Learn specific details about why gravity works
~ Understand the difference between gravity at the particle level and gravity at our level
~ Understand why we haven't yet found an elementary particle of gravity