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Is there a simple explanation for why up & down quarks have different charge?
Up and down quarks have different charges because they are two of the six types of quarks that make up protons and neutrons. Up quarks have a charge of +2/3, while down quarks have a charge of -1/3. This difference in charge is what allows protons and neutrons to have a positive or neutral charge, respectively.
The charges of up and down quarks are determined by their fundamental properties, specifically their electric charge and weak isospin. These properties are intrinsic to each quark and cannot be changed.
Yes, there are four other types of quarks besides up and down: charm, strange, top, and bottom. These quarks also have different charges, with charm and top having a charge of +2/3 and strange and bottom having a charge of -1/3.
Up and down quarks interact with each other through the strong nuclear force, which is one of the four fundamental forces in nature. This force is responsible for holding quarks together to form protons and neutrons.
No, the charges of up and down quarks cannot change. Quarks are considered to be fundamental particles, meaning they cannot be broken down into smaller components. As such, their charges remain constant and cannot be altered.