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Nuclear & Particle Physics

Quark Flavor

The quantum property that distinguishes the six fundamental types of quarks in the Standard Model.

Governing formula 6 Flavors: u, d, c, s, t, b
SI unit Quantum Numbers (S, C, B, T)

In depth

Quark flavors are Up (+2/3 e), Down (-1/3 e), Charm (+2/3 e), Strange (-1/3 e), Top (+2/3 e), and Bottom (-1/3 e). Flavor is strictly conserved in strong and electromagnetic interactions, but changed by weak nuclear interactions.

Examples in the real world

Weak nuclear decay changing a down-quark flavor into an up-quark flavor in neutron beta decay.