For a long time we believed that atoms were elementary particles, that is, the smallest components of matter. However, it has now been discovered that quarks and other subatomic particles (such as neutrinos, electrons, gluons and photons) are the elements that deserve that name. However, particle physics is not yet widely taught and understood in educational institutions.

Thinking about it, researchers from the São Paulo Research and Analysis Center (Sprace), from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), developed the game Sprace Game 2.0. In it, players learn physics concepts in a space exploration.

Sprace Game 2.0

In the game, which is the second version of the Sprace Game, the player has the main mission of preparing Mars to be colonized by mankind. For this, he pilots a ship and needs to capture subatomic particles and take them to the laboratory to build protons, neutrons and other atomic bases of the universe.

After that, the particles are identified in the laboratory and then the spacecraft is calibrated to match them. As the phases progress, the laboratory learns from the elements already captured and then it is necessary to capture more complex and elaborate substances. For example, instead of collecting protons and neutrons, you need to get the quarks needed to form them. In this way, the player must consult the compositional specificities of each element and, consequently, learn to work with the periodic table.

So, were you interested in learning particle physics through a game? Take a look at this video released by the Unesp:

You can download the game directly on the official website: www.sprace.org.br/sprace-game

Have fun!