Are there particles with zero spin?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that the only elementary particle with zero intrinsic spin is the Higgs boson, classified as a scalar boson. While there are predictions of other zero-spin particles, such as axions and those arising from theories beyond the Standard Model, none have been observed yet. The conversation also clarifies that a helium atom, despite having a total spin of zero, is not considered an elementary particle. Additionally, the uncertainty principle is addressed, affirming that zero spin does not violate this principle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics terminology, including "elementary particles" and "spin."
  • Familiarity with the Standard Model of particle physics.
  • Knowledge of scalar bosons and their properties.
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics, particularly the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and implications of the Higgs boson in particle physics.
  • Explore the concept of axions and their role in addressing the Strong CP problem.
  • Investigate theories beyond the Standard Model that predict additional zero-spin particles.
  • Study the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and its applications in quantum mechanics.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of elementary particles and quantum mechanics.

LarryS
Gold Member
Messages
359
Reaction score
33
Are there any elementary particles with zero intrinsic spin?

Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I believe the Higgs boson is just the very example of such a particle. It is the reason for its classification as a "scalar" boson.
 
Last edited:
Hello dear Sir
Helium atom is likely to have spin 0, then acts like a boson. It contains quarks and electrons which are fermions, but as a hole, helium can be boson.
regards,
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Dirac62, that wasn't the question asked. A helium atom is not elementary.
 
  • Like
Likes Dirac62
The only confirmed particle with zero spin is the Higgs, there are others predicted by various models, however none have yet been observed.
A (probably) non-exhaustive list of such bosons is given in wikipedia's list of particles.
 
  • Like
Likes Dirac62
Elementary bosons may have spins (0,1,2,...), but 0 and 2, for example, were just anticipated. By 2013, it has been supposed that the Higgs boson with spin zero exist. Besides, spin 2 for Graviton is predicted.
 
spin-0 = all the scalar fields you can find in any theory...
The Higgs that was discovered is such a particle.
The axion that is predicted as a resolution to the Strong CP-problem and can account for CDM, is such a particle.
Then other theories beyond the SM can add a vast number of such particles ( dilatons, supersymmetry which gives a scalar partner field to each fermion etc)

Would you consider the mesons elementary particles? then the pion is such... and many more...
 
  • Like
Likes Dirac62
Would zero spin violate Heisenberg uncertainty principle...like absolute zero ?
 
No.
What do you mean with "absolute zero" - temperature? That is possible and does not violate the uncertainty principle.
 
  • #10
yaakov said:
Would zero spin violate Heisenberg uncertainty principle...like absolute zero ?
mfb said:
No.
What do you mean with "absolute zero" - temperature? That is possible and does not violate the uncertainty principle.
I think by zero he meant that its spin can be determined 100% to be zero , no uncertainty.
But it's still a no. Because that is not what the uncertainty principle tells you.
You can as well measure a particle's momentum with infinite accuracy (\Delta p= 0) ... the only thing stopping you could be your device... that however means that you will get some uncertainty to some other observable that [its operator] does not commute with momentum's one (doesn't share the same eigenstates / are not mutually diagonalizible in some basis).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
798
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
7K