Abstract:
This project is designed to familiarize teachers and students with Feynman Diagrams. The Feynman Diagram is a convenient visual device for representing what occurs in the collision or decay of elementary particles, without the need for complex mathematics. In the same way that a free-body-diagram can enable a better understanding of the forces acting on an object, Feynman Diagrams can provide a simple model of the forces acting on elementary particles. The diagramming system illustrates the fundamental forces by which particles interact, and the results of those interactions. Conservation laws and some simple symbols provide the framework for this powerful conceptual tool. A set of web resources detailing the rules for producing Feynman Diagrams is provided for both teachers and students. |
A Feynman Diagram |
Introduction to Research:
High energy physics is the study of the unseeable. Physicists make use of many tools, and probably the most convenient tool is a drawing. This project prepares participants to express the dynamics of a fundamental particle event in a simple drawing. Students and teachers will learn about:
Learner Outcomes: Participants will know and be able to:
- Fundamental Forces
- Quantum Electrodynamics (Electromagnetic Interactions)
- Quantum Chromodynamics (Strong Interactions)
- Weak Interactions
- Conservation Laws
- Recognize the Standard Model Fundamental Particles
- Understand the Fundamental Forces
- Draw Feynman Diagrams for various interactions
- Electromagnetic Interactions
- Strong Interactions
- Weak Interactions
- Interpret Feynman Diagrams
- Identify conserved quantities
- Recognize charged particles
- Recognize Bosons
- Recognize Photons
- Recognize Gluons
Product:
Participants will work in small groups to complete a Webquest activity to learn about the Standard Model and Feynman diagrams. Students will also investigate the life of Richard Feynman and produce a short biography. The teacher will provide a Feynman diagram of an event to be explained, and an event to be diagrammed. The group will then present their results to the entire class. |
Richard Feynman |
Assessment:
Participants will be assessed individually and as a team from a rubric for these tasks:
- Drawing of a Feynman Diagram for a specific interaction
- Interpretation a Feynman Diagram
- Biography of Richard Feynman
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This project is supported, in part by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necesarily those of the Foundation or Department. |