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A Levels Physics (9702)•9702/11/O/N/19
Question 40 from 9702/11/O/N/19

Explanation

Identify Σ^- by total charge from quark compositions

Steps:

  • Quark charges: u = +2/3 e, d = -1/3 e, s = -1/3 e.
  • Calculate total charge for each hadron by summing quark charges.
  • Σ^- baryon has charge -e, so total must be -1.
  • Match the composition yielding -1 charge with strangeness -1 (one or more s quarks).

Why D is correct:

  • D (dds) sums to -1/3 -1/3 -1/3 = -1 e, matching Σ^- definition as down-down-strange baryon.

Why the others are wrong:

  • A (uud): +2/3 +2/3 -1/3 = +1 e (proton-like).
  • B (uds): +2/3 -1/3 -1/3 = 0 e (Σ^0 or Λ).
  • C (uss): +2/3 -1/3 -1/3 = -1/3 e (not -1 e).

Final answer: D

Topic: Fundamental particles

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