Particle physics

Particle physics

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Particle physics

Quantum numbers

Physics; Particle physics

The name given to the labels that describe various characteristics of elementary particles, atoms and molecules. Examples include the charge and spin of a particle.

In particle collisions, this is the energy that can go into making new particles. For a collider experiment where two beams of equal energy collide head-on, this is simply the sum of the energy of ...

Charmed particle

Physics; Particle physics

Any particle that contains the exotic charmed (c) quark is known as a charmed particle.

Colour

Physics; Particle physics

A property of quarks and gluons. Gluons can exchange colour between quarks and other gluons. This process is the origin of the strong force. It has nothing to do with the colour perceived by the ...

Cosmic rays

Physics; Particle physics

Any of the particles from outer space that are continuously colliding with the Earth's atmosphere. They are mostly protons, with some nuclei, electrons, and photons. Their interactions with the ...

Coupling constant

Physics; Particle physics

The parameter that describes the strength of a given force.

Cross-section

Physics; Particle physics

A measure of the likelihood of a given process occurring at an accelerator. The idea is that two objects with a larger cross-sectional area are more likely to hit one another. So, larger ...