Do anti-particles have opposite parity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the parity of anti-particles in comparison to their corresponding particles, exploring whether anti-particles possess opposite parity and the implications of charge conjugation on parity. The scope includes theoretical considerations and technical explanations related to quantum numbers and particle physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that anti-particles have all their conservation numbers, including parity, opposite to their corresponding particles.
  • Others question this assertion, referencing sources that indicate only internal quantum numbers are reversed under charge conjugation, not spatial coordinates.
  • It is noted that the parity of compound particles, such as hadrons, is derived from the internal parities of quarks and their relative geometry, which do not differ between particles and anti-particles.
  • Some participants mention that while certain mesons have the same parity as their anti-mesons, there are exceptions, and the spin-parity of mesons is influenced by both intrinsic properties and orbital wavefunctions.
  • There is a discussion about the relative parity of fermions, with specific examples provided, such as the intrinsic relative parity of protons and antiprotons being negative.
  • Questions arise regarding the accuracy of applying charge conjugation as a straightforward replacement of particles with their anti-particles, given that some anti-particles may have opposite parity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between anti-particles and parity, with no consensus reached on whether anti-particles universally possess opposite parity to their corresponding particles.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the complexity of defining parity in relation to composite particles and the nuances of charge conjugation, which may not apply uniformly across all particle types.

johne1618
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Hi,

I understand that anti-particles have the opposite charge to particles.

Do anti-particles have the opposite parity to particles as well?

John
 
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Anti-particles have not only charge, but all their conservation numbers, among them charge and parity, opposite to their "normal" particles.
 
Thanks!
 
Actually, is that right?

I looked on hyperphysics and it said only the "internal" quantum numbers are reversed under charge conjugation not the spatial coordinates.

John
 
johne1618 said:
I looked on hyperphysics and it said only the "internal" quantum numbers are reversed under charge conjugation not the spatial coordinates.
Sure! You're right. I gave too quick answer...
Parity of compound particle (e.g. hadrons) is composed (multiplicatively) of internal parities of quarks and the parity of their relative geometry. The last do not differ from particle to anti-particle.
So both mesons and their anti-mesons have same parity ([itex]-1^{spin+1}[/itex]). Baryons, as composed of 3 quarks, have parity +1, while their counterparts have -1.
 
So both mesons and their anti-mesons have same parity (−1)spin+1
Still too quick. There are plenty of mesons that obey this rule, and plenty more that do not. The spin-parity of a meson includes contributions from both the intrinsic properties of the quarks and the orbital wavefunction as well. Take a look at a list of the charmonium and bottomonium states.
 
The parity of meson considered as q-qbar bound states is (-1)^L+1.
The spin of the meson equals L if the q-qbar are in a spin zero state, but can be different if the q-qbar are in a spin 1 state. Gauge bosons have negative intrinsic parity.
The parity of a boson antiparticle is the same as the particle.
 
Fermions have only relative parity. For instance, the intrinsic relative parity of the proton and antiproton is negative.
 
So, when in texts it refers to applying charge conjuction (C) as replacing a particle with its antiparticle... this isn't strictly true? As particles whose antiparticle has opposite parity, would need you to apply CP to the particle to get the antiparticle?
 
  • #10
An antimeson has the same parity as the corresponding meson.
A fermion.s only has relative parity with another fermion or its antifermion.
The relative parity of the proton and antiproton is negative.
The relative parity of the nucleon and the and the Delta is positive.
Relative parity of a nucleon and the Lambda cannot be defined because parity is not conserved in Lambda decay.
 

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