What are Quantum Numbers

dbmorpher

I have read many sources about quantum numbers and I know they have to do with the spin or types of particles in a hadron or boson, but I do not understand how spin could calculated or what it means. There was also something that had symbols that were like, p2, k4, f3...
I just don't understand this and wikipedia isn't helping
Would love to learn more,
dbmorpher

tiny-tim

hi dbmorpher!

quantum spin doesn't realy have an exact analogue to classical spin

however, i personally like to think of the quantum numbers as being like the possible vibrations of a sphere (like the sun) …

it can pulse in and out spherically

or it can squeeze in and out like a concertina

or …

each possible mode of vibration corresponds to a spherical harmonic which in turn corresponds to quantum numbers

so i personally think of different but related particles as being the same particle vibrating in different ways
those letters and numbers are just there to confuse you

here's a pretty diagram from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_harmonics …


(and for what it's worth, here's an unhelpfully detailed description of mine … http://www.physicsforums.com/showpos...75&postcount=5)

dbmorpher

Okay thank you