Spin 1/2 Particles: Understand Complex Physics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of spin 1/2 particles in quantum mechanics, particularly the counterintuitive nature of their behavior when subjected to rotations. Participants explore analogies, such as the Moebius strip, to clarify their understanding of these particles and their properties in relation to topology and quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the need for clarification on the behavior of spin 1/2 particles, noting that a 360-degree rotation does not return the particle to its original state, likening it to a Moebius strip.
  • Another participant elaborates on the concept of spin, suggesting that the term is a misnomer and relates to the behavior of particles in a magnetic field, while also discussing the implications of spin angular momentum.
  • A participant discusses the topology of the Moebius strip, explaining how different twists affect its properties and relating this to their research on the structure of spacetime.
  • Further exploration of topologies is proposed, with one participant suggesting that different topologies could represent different types of particles (fermions vs. bosons) and hinting at a method for calculating mass ratios using matrices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various interpretations of the spin concept and its relation to topology, with no consensus reached on the best analogy or explanation. Multiple competing views remain regarding the implications of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference complex mathematical and physical concepts without resolving the underlying assumptions or definitions related to spin and topology. The discussion includes speculative ideas about using topological models to represent particle properties.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in quantum mechanics, particle physics, and the mathematical frameworks used to describe physical phenomena may find this discussion relevant.

Alkatran
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Well, I just read about particles which you have to spin around twice to get back to their original form (If you spin it 360 degrees it won't be the same...)

Now, this is sortof counter-intuitive so I need a bit of clarification. The closest I could get to explaining this in my mind was a mobeus strip (a ring with one half-twist it, making the inside the outside...) since, if you spin it once, technicly you are now looking at the other side of it. Is this the right path to be thinking down?
 
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Alkatran said:
Well, I just read about particles which you have to spin around twice to get back to their original form (If you spin it 360 degrees it won't be the same...)

Now, this is sortof counter-intuitive so I need a bit of clarification. The closest I could get to explaining this in my mind was a mobeus strip (a ring with one half-twist it, making the inside the outside...) since, if you spin it once, technicly you are now looking at the other side of it. Is this the right path to be thinking down?

Spin 1/2 means simply the aprticle entering an inhomogeneous magnetic field along the y-axis will be observed to move up or down along the z-axis.This is the proverbial "coin flip". Spin is something of a misnomer and a carry over from classical considerations that spinning electric charges, or orbiting electric charges were the "spin" that induces the magnetic monopoles that give rise to the induced motion in the z axis. The induced motion, the quantum motion if you will is purely a magnetic effec. The reason it is +1/2 and -1/2 is that the difference in spin is 1, which has implications regarding spin angular momentum. Spin 1 particle have three possible state, +1, +- (0) and -1, where again the difference in 'spin' between states is 1.
To answer yopu question regarding 'spin' particles, is NO.
 
Alkatran said:
The closest I could get to explaining this in my mind was a mobeus strip

A half-twist or 180 degrees twist of a Moebius strip formed a one-sided surface. If you cut thru the middle of the strip you get a narrower ring but longer circumference. I think, the larger ring might still be one-sided. But a 360 degrees twist formed back a two-sided surface with a complete cycle. If cut thru the middle, two rings is formed that are linked together. This is the topology that I am using in my research of describing the local structure of spacetime.
 
Antonio Lao said:
A half-twist or 180 degrees twist of a Moebius strip formed a one-sided surface. If you cut thru the middle of the strip you get a narrower ring but longer circumference. I think, the larger ring might still be one-sided. But a 360 degrees twist formed back a two-sided surface with a complete cycle. If cut thru the middle, two rings is formed that are linked together. This is the topology that I am using in my research of describing the local structure of spacetime.

I knew what the strip was, that's why i was trying to use it as an explanation.
 
Alkatran said:
I knew what the strip was, that's why i was trying to use it as an explanation.

Maybe you can help me understand more about what other topologies there are in multiple twists of Moebius strip?

If I assumed two topologies for the fully twisted strip, I can used one topology to represent 1/2 integer spin particles (fermions) and the other topology for integral spin particles (bosons). I could even come up with a method of calculating the mass ratio among the particles. Furthermore, by the use of matrices, the calculation for charge and mass is very much simplified. I don't have to solve any equation like Schroedinger's or of Dirac's or any other.
 

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