A Level Physics Practice Exam

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What is the baryon number of an up quark?

1/3

The baryon number is a quantum number that represents the number of baryons (particles like protons and neutrons, which are made up of three quarks) in a system. Baryons have a baryon number of +1, antibaryons have a baryon number of -1, and all other particles, including quarks and leptons, have a baryon number of 0.

Quarks, which are the fundamental constituents of baryons, possess baryon numbers that are fractions of the baryon number of the baryons they form. Specifically, an up quark has a baryon number of +1/3. This means that when three up quarks combine to form a baryon (like a proton), the total baryon number is:

1/3 (from the first up quark) + 1/3 (from the second up quark) + 1/3 (from the third up quark) = 1.

Thus, the baryon number of an up quark is indeed +1/3, which contributes to the baryon number of the composite baryon it forms. This understanding is key in particle physics and helps to maintain conservation laws in particle interactions.

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