Elementary Particles: How Many Discovered?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the number of elementary particles that have been discovered, focusing on the classification and counting methods within the standard model of particle physics. Participants explore various aspects of particle types, including quarks, leptons, and gauge bosons, as well as the implications of charge and antiparticles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference the standard model, noting there are 6 different quarks, 6 different leptons, and 12 different gauge bosons, along with their antiparticles.
  • One participant suggests that counting particles can depend on mass, indicating that particles with the same mass may be considered the same, regardless of charge.
  • Another participant proposes a calculation that includes charge and antiparticles, leading to a total of approximately 96 particles when considering parity and other factors.
  • There is a mention of the complexity involved in counting particles, particularly regarding the color charges of quarks and the neutrality of hadrons.
  • Several links to external resources are shared for further exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on how to count elementary particles, with no consensus reached on a definitive method or total number. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of mass, charge, and other factors in counting particles.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the nuances in counting particles, including considerations of mass, charge, and parity, which may lead to different interpretations and totals. The discussion reflects the complexity of the topic without resolving these ambiguities.

Caesar_Rahil
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How many elementary particles have been discovered.
 
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please see http://pdg.lbl.gov/pdg.html

There are 6 different quarks, 6 different leptons, and 12 different gauge bosons. Then you have all the antiparticles for these different particles. This is in regards to the standard model of particle physics. Please see the link above for much more detail.
Cheers,
Ryan
 
Norman said:
please see http://pdg.lbl.gov/pdg.html

There are 6 different quarks, 6 different leptons, and 12 different gauge bosons. Then you have all the antiparticles for these different particles. This is in regards to the standard model of particle physics. Please see the link above for much more detail.
Cheers,
Ryan

I love this question, because if you go into details... how should you count the particles? It seems that for fermions it is a question of mass, if the mass is the same you consider it to be the same particle, even if the charge is not. But for bosons we count W+ and W- as two particles.

If we include charge and antiparticles in the fermions, we have

6*3*2= 36 quarks and
6*2= 12 leptons

If we consider Parity, we have
36*2= 72 quarks
12*2= 24 leptons, or we had 18 if there were not right neutrinos.

thus about 96 "particles".
 
arivero said:
I love this question, because if you go into details... how should you count the particles? It seems that for fermions it is a question of mass, if the mass is the same you consider it to be the same particle, even if the charge is not. But for bosons we count W+ and W- as two particles.

If we include charge and antiparticles in the fermions, we have

6*3*2= 36 quarks and
6*2= 12 leptons

If we consider Parity, we have
36*2= 72 quarks
12*2= 24 leptons, or we had 18 if there were not right neutrinos.

thus about 96 "particles".

This is very true... I struggled with whether or not to mention these points. But I decided to go with just what I stated for brevity, and simplicity. I had the chart that dlgoff mentioned in mind when I posted this... But a really good question is, why don't we explain from the beginning that there are 3 different color charges of quarks? I think the answer lies in the color neutrality of hadrons. But I agree, as usual the devil is in the details! :devil:
Cheers,
Ryan
 

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