List

Fundamental Particles Collection

It seems like exciting times are ahead for theoretical physicists with the possible discovery of the Higgs boson. Perhaps you have ambitions to follow in the footsteps of Higgs or others like Einstein, Hawking, Green or Witten? Of course, the mathematics involved in the standard model of particle physics, which predicts the Higgs boson is very tricky, and as for the mathematics involved in string and M theory.... (for a fascinating account of strings, visit whystringtheory.com)

Perhaps you hope in the future to make some wonderful discovery in mathematical physics? Or, perhaps you just want to understand more about the details of the way the universe works?

To assist you on your journeys we have collected together a selection of problems on NRICH related to the physics of fundamental particles. These involve a wide range of mathematical techniques and wonderful physical concepts. We hope that you enjoy them.

Electromagnetism
article

Electromagnetism

Read all about electromagnetism in our interactive article.
The ultra particle
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The ultra particle

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Explore the energy of this incredibly energetic particle which struck Earth on October 15th 1991
Crystal symmetry
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Crystal symmetry

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Use vectors and matrices to explore the symmetries of crystals.
Lennard Jones potential
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Lennard Jones potential

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Investigate why the Lennard-Jones potential gives a good approximate explanation for the behaviour of atoms at close ranges
Striking gold
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Striking gold

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Investigate some of the issues raised by Geiger and Marsden's famous scattering experiment in which they fired alpha particles at a sheet of gold.
Escape from planet Earth
problem
Favourite

Escape from planet Earth

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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How fast would you have to throw a ball upwards so that it would never land?
Operating machines
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Operating machines

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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What functions can you make using the function machines RECIPROCAL and PRODUCT and the operator machines DIFF and INT?
Cobalt decay
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Cobalt decay

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Investigate the effects of the half-lifes of the isotopes of cobalt on the mass of a mystery lump of the element.
The real hydrogen atom
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The real hydrogen atom

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Dip your toe into the world of quantum mechanics by looking at the Schrodinger equation for hydrogen atoms
Scientific curves
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Scientific curves

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Can you sketch these difficult curves, which have uses in mathematical modelling?
Earth orbit
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Earth orbit

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Follow in the steps of Newton and find the path that the earth follows around the sun.