Stupid Quantum Physics

The only thing I trust less than quantum physics is string theory.

It's been bothering me that there isn't a definite equation to define the spin of a given composite particle, such as a proton or Helium-4 nucleus. Turns out that the European Muon Collaboraton decided 20 years ago that the constiuent spin of the two up and one down quarks is not sufficient to explain the spin of the proton. More recently it was postulated that the quarks only account for 20%-30% of the spin. So many fuckin' holes.

I always thought that the name for quarks came from the quote "Three quarks for Muster Mark", of James Joyce fame. It does, but he used the term "quark" to refer to a seagull's call, or "quack" translated from duckian to seagullese.