Does the higgs mechanism explain the observed masses of sub particles?

In summary, the Higgs mechanism gives rest mass to every elementary particle except the Higgs itself. There is no smallest "mass unit" and each particle gets a mass corresponding to its type. The Yukawa terms in the SU(2)xU(1) invariant Lagrangian contribute to the masses of leptons and quarks. However, the theory cannot explain why the particles have these specific masses. The Higgs particle has a mass between 130 to 1000 GeV, with a measured value of 126 GeV.
  • #1
Herbascious J
165
7
I was wondering if there are any theories that show how much mass the higgs field gives to each particle and why? I am specifically wondering about the observed masses for each particles rest mass. Does the higgs mechanism give mass in quanta, and if so is there a reason for the amounts?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Herbascious J said:
I was wondering if there are any theories that show how much mass the higgs field gives to each particle and why?
For every elementary particle except the Higgs itself*, it gives those particles their rest mass (to a very good approximation).
For composite particles like hadrons, this is not true, but that is a completely different question.

Does the higgs mechanism give mass in quanta
Every particle gets a mass exactly corresponding to its particle type, but there is no smallest "mass unit" (unlike electric charge, where such a unit exists).
and if so is there a reason for the amounts?
There is no known reason why the particle masses are as they are.*edit for clarity: the Higgs mechanism does give a mass to the Higgs boson, but that is not the only relevant contribution to its mass.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
In the QFT point of view, the Higgs Mechanism is applied to spontaneously break your symmetry, and by this process it gives mass to the excanged bosons, except for photon.
Now if you want to write an SU(2)xU(1) symmetry obeying Lagrangian (that's the one you initially had), there is no reason to exclude the "Yukawa terms", and as a result of non-vanishing Higg's vacuum expectation value you'll get lepton and quarks masses.
The Yukawa terms are just SU(2)xU(1) invariant, lorentz invariant (so they obey your symmetries) and couple the left and right movers through Higg's field- but even the existence of left-right coupling is equivalent to a mass term if you check the Dirac equation lagrangian in Weyl's representation.

Although the Higg's mechanism gives masses to the quarks, you can't easily compute the hadron or mesons' masses because of the extra energy these systems hold within (sea of particles and gluons) which you must already know from the fact that the mass of proton is not even nearly equal to the sum of 2 u and 1 d quarks' masses.

The theory, even for the Higgs particle, cannot yet explain the reason why the particles have these masses. Neither does Higg's mechanism,which in fact explains the "how they get them", and not "why they have those values". What the theory could always do is create limits of the masses, so we knew for Higgs that it was approximately somewhere between 130 to 1000 GeV, It happened to be at 126, so I think they will look through those numbers again :p
 
Last edited:

1. What is the Higgs mechanism?

The Higgs mechanism is a theoretical concept in particle physics that explains how particles acquire mass. It proposes the existence of a field called the Higgs field, which interacts with particles and gives them mass.

2. How does the Higgs mechanism work?

The Higgs mechanism works by giving particles a mass through their interactions with the Higgs field. The more a particle interacts with the Higgs field, the more mass it has. Particles that do not interact with the Higgs field, such as photons, do not have mass.

3. Does the Higgs mechanism explain the observed masses of all sub particles?

No, the Higgs mechanism only explains the masses of elementary particles, such as quarks and leptons. It does not apply to composite particles, such as protons and neutrons, which are made up of multiple elementary particles.

4. Is the Higgs mechanism a proven theory?

Yes, the existence of the Higgs mechanism was confirmed in 2012 through the discovery of the Higgs boson particle at the Large Hadron Collider. This discovery provided strong evidence for the Higgs mechanism and its role in giving particles mass.

5. Why is the Higgs mechanism important?

The Higgs mechanism is important because it is a crucial part of the Standard Model of particle physics, which is currently the most successful theory in explaining the fundamental particles and forces in the universe. It also helps to explain why some particles have mass while others do not, providing insight into the structure of the universe.

Similar threads

  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
1K
Back
Top