Understanding Solitons and Their Role in Physics

What everyday phenomenon is used to introduce the concept of solitons?

• Snowflakes

• Sunsets

• Bubble rings

• Rainbows

What is a soliton in the context of water or air?

• A static body of water

• A coherent movement of an entire body of water or air

• A chaotic storm

• A random movement of molecules

Which of the following is NOT an example of a soliton in nature?

• Optical fibers

• Smoke rings

• Tornados

• Rain clouds

What happens when you try to pull a quark out of a proton?

• It disappears

• A soliton forms and pulls it back

• It changes into another particle

• It escapes easily

Why is the mystery of quarks and solitons significant in physics?

• It is used in building computers

• It explains the formation of stars

• It holds the key to understanding what holds matter together

• It predicts weather patterns

What is the prize for solving the mystery of quarks and solitons?

• A new research grant

• A Nobel Prize

• A million dollars

• A prestigious medal

What activity does David Tong find helpful for thinking about complex problems?

• Listening to music

• Kicking a football

• Reading books

• Cooking

What approach does David Tong take when faced with a difficult problem?

• He consults with other scientists

• He reads more books

• He takes long walks and baths

• He gives up

What did David Tong discover when he sidestepped the problem of quarks?

• A new type of particle

• A solution to a different problem

• A flaw in his calculations

• A new theory of relativity

What does David Tong believe about the solution to the quark problem?

• It requires advanced technology

• It is already solved

• It should be as simple as describing a vortex

• It is impossible to solve