Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Fundamental Particles Collection

It seems like exciting times are ahead for theoretical physicists with the possible discovery of the Higgs boson. Perhaps you have ambitions to follow in the footsteps of Higgs or others like Einstein, Hawking, Green or Witten? Of course, the mathematics involved in the standard model of particle physics, which predicts the Higgs boson is very tricky, and as for the mathematics involved in string and M theory.... (for a fascinating account of strings, visit whystringtheory.com)

Perhaps you hope in the future to make some wonderful discovery in mathematical physics? Or, perhaps you just want to understand more about the details of the way the universe works?

To assist you on your journeys we have collected together a selection of problems on NRICH related to the physics of fundamental particles. These involve a wide range of mathematical techniques and wonderful physical concepts. We hope that you enjoy them.

The Ultra Particle

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star

Explore the energy of this incredibly energetic particle which struck Earth on October 15th 1991

Universal Time, Mass, Length

Age 16 to 18
ShortChallenge Level Yellow star

Can you work out the natural time scale for the universe?

Big and Small Numbers in Physics

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow star

Work out the numerical values for these physical quantities.

Electromagnetism

Age 16 to 18

Read all about electromagnetism in our interactive article.

Crystal Symmetry

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

Use vectors and matrices to explore the symmetries of crystals.

Lennard Jones Potential

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

Investigate why the Lennard-Jones potential gives a good approximate explanation for the behaviour of atoms at close ranges

Striking Gold

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

Investigate some of the issues raised by Geiger and Marsden's famous scattering experiment in which they fired alpha particles at a sheet of gold.

Cobalt Decay

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star

Investigate the effects of the half-lifes of the isotopes of cobalt on the mass of a mystery lump of the element.

Which Twin Is Older?

Age 16 to 18

A simplified account of special relativity and the twins paradox.

Scientific Curves

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star

Can you sketch these difficult curves, which have uses in mathematical modelling?

Escape from Planet Earth

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

How fast would you have to throw a ball upwards so that it would never land?

Earth Orbit

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star

Follow in the steps of Newton and find the path that the earth follows around the sun.

Operating Machines

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star

What functions can you make using the function machines RECIPROCAL and PRODUCT and the operator machines DIFF and INT?

The Real Hydrogen Atom

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star

Dip your toe into the world of quantum mechanics by looking at the Schrodinger equation for hydrogen atoms

You may also like

Escape from Planet Earth

How fast would you have to throw a ball upwards so that it would never land?

The Ultra Particle

Explore the energy of this incredibly energetic particle which struck Earth on October 15th 1991

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo