Strange quarks are one of the six types, or "flavors," of quarks in particle physics. They are denoted by the symbol "s" and have a charge of -1/3. Strange quarks combine with other quarks to form particles called hadrons, such as kaons and hyperons. These particles are important for understanding the strong force that holds atomic nuclei together. Strange quarks are heavier than the more common up and down quarks, which make up protons and neutrons. They play a significant role in the study of particle physics and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions, such as those found in neutron stars or during high-energy collisions in particle accelerators.