Quantum chromodynamics

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory describing one of the fundamental forces, the strong interaction. It describes the interactions of quarks and gluons and takes the form of a quantum field theory of a special kind called a non-abelian gauge theory. QCD forms an important part of the standard model of particle physics. A huge body of experimental evidence for QCD has been gathered over the years.

Names

The word quark was coined by Murray Gell-Mann in its present sense. He claims to have taken it from the phrase "Three quarks for Muster Mark" in Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce.

Related Topics:
Quark - Murray Gell-Mann - Finnegan's Wake - James Joyce

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The three kinds of charge in QCD (as opposed to one in QED) are usually referred to as "color charge" by loose analogy to the three kinds of color (red, green and blue) perceived by humans. Since the theory of electric charge is dubbed "electrodynamics", the Greek word "chroma" Χρώμα (meaning color) is applied to the theory of color charge, "chromodynamics".

Related Topics:
Charge - QED - Color charge - Color - Perceived by humans - Electrodynamics

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