Undergrad A Question on Spinors in a High school textbook

Click For Summary
Spinors are mathematical objects used in physics, particularly in quantum mechanics and relativity, to describe the state of particles with intrinsic angular momentum, or spin. They differ from traditional vectors in that they require a more complex framework for their representation, often involving multi-dimensional spaces. The discussion highlights a specific question related to spinors, emphasizing the need for a clear and comprehensible definition suitable for high school students. Visual aids, such as diagrams or gifs, can enhance understanding by illustrating how spinors operate in relation to other physical concepts. Overall, the inquiry seeks to demystify spinors and make the topic accessible to learners at an introductory level.
Falgun
Messages
77
Reaction score
45
TL;DR
Question from Resnick Halliday Krane Chapter 8: Rotational kinematics
While revising Rotational motion, I came across a qualitative question which blew me away. Meaning I couldn't even understand the question let alone answer it😅. It has to do with these objects called spinors which as I understand are evoked in quantum mechanics and Relativity. I am attaching the question so kindly go through it. It would be really helpful if you could give me a rough idea of what spinors are. If you could throw in a visualisation or gif then even better. It's question no. 9 .
 

Attachments

  • 16385085644098893190043023343324.jpg
    16385085644098893190043023343324.jpg
    70.9 KB · Views: 125
  • 16385086284504281185731399793704.jpg
    16385086284504281185731399793704.jpg
    36.6 KB · Views: 142
Physics news on Phys.org
The spinor in tnis case is shown in the diagram. It's not directly related to QM.
 
So what exactly is a spinor? Like can you give me a definition which would be comprehensible to me at this stage?
 
Falgun said:
So what exactly is a spinor? Like can you give me a definition which would be comprehensible to me at this stage?
The problem deals with the object in diagram 8-13. For the purposes of this exercise, that is the definition of a spinor.
 

Thread 'Reference frames, center of rotation, etc'

Topic about reference frames, center of rotation, postion of origin etc Comoving ref. frame is frame that is attached to moving object, does that mean, in that frame translation and rotation of object is zero, because origin and axes(x,y,z) are fixed to object? Is it same if you place origin of frame at object center of mass or at object tail? What type of comoving frame exist? What is lab frame? If we talk about center of rotation do we always need to specified from what frame we observe?
View full post »

Similar threads

Intro Math Are the (translated) High School Japanese maths textbooks by Kodaira Good?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
5K
High School Physics online video courses and MOOCs?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Quantum mechanics textbook?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
A negative number to a fractional power -- Is it legit in High school?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Engineering Please help me make sense of this question in plumbing textbook
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Schools Trouble with high school physics, what should I do?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Preparing for Physics Grad School after Math/Comp Sci undergrad
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Admissions Statement of purpose critique request (high-energy theory PhD)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Math Should I Teach High School Before Pursuing a PhD?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
What was the cost of a Soviet high school math textbook in 1976?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
11K