What is Boson: Definition and 371 Discussions

In quantum mechanics, a boson (, ) is a particle that follows Bose–Einstein statistics. Bosons make up one of two classes of elementary particles, the other being fermions. The name boson was coined by Paul Dirac to commemorate the contribution of Satyendra Nath Bose, an Indian physicist and professor of physics at University of Calcutta and at University of Dhaka in developing, with Albert Einstein, Bose–Einstein statistics, which theorizes the characteristics of elementary particles.Examples of bosons are fundamental particles such as photons, gluons, and W and Z bosons (the four force-carrying gauge bosons of the Standard Model), the recently discovered Higgs boson, and the hypothetical graviton of quantum gravity. Some composite particles are also bosons, such as mesons and stable nuclei of even mass number such as deuterium (with one proton and one neutron, atomic mass number = 2), helium-4, and lead-208; as well as some quasiparticles (e.g. Cooper pairs, plasmons, and phonons).An important characteristic of bosons is that there is no restriction on the number of them that occupy the same quantum state. This property is exemplified by helium-4 when it is cooled to become a superfluid. Unlike bosons, two identical fermions cannot occupy the same quantum state. Whereas the elementary particles that make up matter (i.e. leptons and quarks) are fermions, the elementary bosons are force carriers that function as the 'glue' holding matter together. This property holds for all particles with integer spin (s = 0, 1, 2, etc.) as a consequence of the spin–statistics theorem.
When a gas of Bose particles is cooled down to temperatures very close to absolute zero, then the kinetic energy of the particles decreases to a negligible amount, and they condense into the lowest energy level state. This state is called a Bose–Einstein condensate. This property is also the explanation for superfluidity.

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  1. A

    How to Calculate Energy and Entropy for a Two-State Boson System?

    Entropy for 2State Boson System [URGENT!] Homework Statement Find the Energy and Entropy of a two state Bosonic system with energy states 0 & E. How is the Condensation of this system? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution i don't know how to start...
  2. R

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    As a layman, I'm having a problem with understanding the search at LHC for the Higgs Boson. As I understand Einstein, all mass is nothing but energy. In that case, why are we looking for a particle which imbues mass? For example, in Rutherford's experiment, at least in my mind's eye, when...
  3. D

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  4. 0

    Understanding of the Fermion, Boson difference

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  5. N

    Is the Higgs boson already found?

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  6. M

    Z Boson, Posiron-Electron Annihilation.

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  7. N

    Where is the higgs boson located in the atom? or is it even in the atom?

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  8. F

    The W boson mass is exp(-4pi^2) of a Planck mass

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  9. K

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  10. C

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  11. D

    Basic Explanation of Boson: What is it?

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  12. L

    What is the Hard-Core Boson Model with Infinite Point Repulsion Potential?

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  13. Andrew Mason

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  14. P

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  15. K

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  16. S

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  17. J

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  18. H

    Can Bosons and Leptons Coexist in Same Space?

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  19. K

    Higgs Boson and Hawking Radiation

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  20. H

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  21. M

    Measuring the spin of a Higgs Boson.

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  22. J

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  23. T

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  24. U

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  25. C

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  26. Orion1

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  27. N

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  28. B

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  29. malawi_glenn

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  30. H

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  31. A

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  32. I

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  33. A

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  34. P

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  35. jal

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  36. I

    The different lifetimes of W boson and Pion?

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  37. J

    If the higgs boson is discovered, what are the implications

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  38. CJames

    Exploring the Higgs Boson: Force or Vacuum Energy?

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  39. C

    Higgs boson detection is it possible as of 2008

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  40. B

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  41. I

    Helium-4 as a Boson: Exploring an Atom's Quantum Nature

    The wikipedia article on Bose-Einstein condensates mentions that helium-4 is, or can be, a boson. It says that a condensate is made by putting many bosons, such as helium-4, into the lowest energy state. How can an atom be a boson? I figured that an atom, composed of fermions, would have to...
  42. H

    Will Detection Of Higgs Boson Complete Standard Model?

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  43. T

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  44. S

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  45. N

    W/Z Boson Decays: Quark-Antiquark Pairs to Hadron Jets

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  46. malawi_glenn

    Decay of W+ Boson: Up+Anti-Down & Charm+Anti-Strange

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  47. B

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  48. B

    Should the Tevatron see the Higgs boson? What-if LHC does not observe it?

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  49. B

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  50. L

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