Why are quarks fundamental particles?

In summary, quarks are considered fundamental particles in the Standard Model, meaning they cannot be divided further. The fact that an up quark can transmute to a down quark does not necessarily mean there is substructure to a quark. What makes a particle fundamental is that it is described by its internal quantum numbers, position, momentum, and spin, and these quantum numbers must be discrete. Bound states, on the other hand, have more degrees of freedom, which are always continuous.
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Are quarks really considered fundamental particles that cannot be divided further? If an up quark can transmute to a down quark and release a W+ boson which decays to a positron and a neutrino (for example) - doesn't this mean that there is substructure to a quark?

What exactly is it that makes a particle fundamental and non divisible?
 
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Are quarks really considered fundamental particles that cannot be divided further?
In Standard Model, yes.

If an up quark can transmute to a down quark and release a W+ boson which decays to a positron and a neutrino (for example) - doesn't this mean that there is substructure to a quark?
No, it does not prove that.

What exactly is it that makes a particle fundamental and non divisible?
A particle is either fundamental or it is a bound state. Bound states have more degrees of freedom. A fundamental particle is completely described by its internal quantum numbers, position, momentum and spin. The internal quantum numbers must be discrete.
In case of a bound state we have additional degrees of freedom related to the position and orientation of the constituents. These degrees of freedom are always continuous.
 

Related to Why are quarks fundamental particles?

What are quarks?

Quarks are subatomic particles that are considered to be the building blocks of matter. They are a fundamental particle, meaning they cannot be broken down into smaller particles. Quarks are believed to be the smallest known particles in the universe.

How were quarks discovered?

Quarks were first proposed in the 1960s by physicists Murray Gell-Mann and George Zweig as a way to explain the structure of protons and neutrons. Their existence was later confirmed through experiments at particle accelerators, such as the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) in California.

Why are quarks considered fundamental particles?

Quarks are considered fundamental particles because they are not made up of any smaller particles. They are also the basic building blocks of larger particles, such as protons and neutrons, which make up the atoms that make up all matter in the universe.

How many types of quarks are there?

There are six types of quarks, known as flavors: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. Each quark has a different mass, charge, and other properties. These flavors combine to form different types of particles, such as protons and neutrons.

What is the significance of quarks in the Standard Model of particle physics?

The Standard Model of particle physics is a theory that explains the fundamental particles and forces that make up the universe. Quarks play a crucial role in this model, as they are the building blocks of larger particles and are responsible for the strong nuclear force, which holds the nucleus of an atom together. The discovery and study of quarks have greatly contributed to our understanding of the universe and its fundamental laws.

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