Q96 · Practice questionComplex familiar5 marks
QUESTION 96 (5 marks)
For each particle below, state whether it is a baryon or meson and determine its baryon number: (a) proton , (b) neutron , (c) meson .
WORKED SOLUTION
5 marksPractice marking scheme
ANSWER
Proton: baryon, ; neutron: baryon, ; : meson, .
Worked solution
A baryon contains three quarks, giving . Therefore both and are baryons with . A meson contains one quark and one antiquark, so the baryon numbers cancel: . Thus is a meson with .
Classifies proton and gives baryon number.
Classifies neutron and gives baryon number.
Classifies pion as meson.
Calculates pion baryon number.
Explains using quark/antiquark content.
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