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arXiv · 1811.06230

Pitfalls in the teaching of elementary particle physics

Oliber Passon·Thomas Zügge·Johannes Grebe-Ellis
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Abstract

Elementary particle physics is gradually implemented into science curricula at high school level. However, common presentations on educational, semi-technical or popular level contain or support severe misconceptions. We discuss in particular the notion of `particle', the interaction between them and the use of Feynman diagrams. In many cases the true novelty of particle physics (i.e. quantum field theory) is largely ignored. We also suggest reasons for this widespread distortions of particle physics in popular accounts.

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Oliber Passon, Thomas Zügge, Johannes Grebe-Ellis. 2018-11-15. Pitfalls in the teaching of elementary particle physics. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6552%2Faadbc7

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