Building a Lego universe Activities using Lego to
Building a Lego universe Activities using Lego to illustrate a range of particle interactions http: //ph. qmul. ac. uk/engagement/physics-kits
Structure of the atom
Isotopes
Now build some of your own atomic nuclei mass number LEGO model atomic number symbol, name
Radioactivity
Fusion
Fusion
Fission
Fission
Build your own universe
Particle Physics A Physics Kit
Leptons
Rules for combinations Baryon: 3 quarks Meson: 2 quarks (1 quark + 1 anti-quark) No fractional charges in completed particle • Proton • Hydrogen atom • Neutron • Helium nucleus • Anti-proton • Helium atom • Anti-neutron
Neutron charge, Q = 0 strangeness, S = 0 Baryons (3 quarks) Σ+ charge, Q = +1 strangeness, S = -1 n Σ+
Baryons: 3 quarks
Mesons (1 quark + 1 anti-quark = 2 quarks)
Mesons: 1 quark + 1 anti-quark
More baryons (with more energy!)
More baryons (with more energy!)
Beta decay
‘Motion cafe’ app on i. Pad Stop-motion animation of: • particle interactions • fission • fusion • The Big Bang
Beta decay
Lego Particle Physics: Beta decay of Cobalt-60 http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ts 7 b. Q 9 wsm. H M
LEGO available from: http: //ph. qmul. ac. uk/engagement/physics-kits or mrdaviesphysics@gmail. com
Some LEGO models made out of the correct number of up quarks, down quarks and electrons. • A ‘water’ cocktail (H 20) • An iron (Fe) • Superman (Kr)
- Slides: 34