Finding anything smaller than quarks or what quarks are made of?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for particles smaller than quarks and the nature of quarks themselves. Participants explore concepts related to fundamental particles, the Standard Model, and hypothetical particles, as well as the implications of negative mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether anything smaller than quarks has been found or theorized.
  • It is noted that quarks are currently considered fundamental particles that do not decay into smaller constituents, although they can transform into one another.
  • Participants discuss the comparison of sizes among leptons, quarks, and neutrinos, with a clarification that all are considered pointlike in the Standard Model.
  • There is a mention that neutrinos are the lightest of the leptons, followed by electrons, muons, and taus in terms of mass.
  • One participant expresses a belief that there must be a limit to how small particles can get, introducing the concept of negative mass and seeking clarification on its meaning.
  • Another participant mistakenly interprets negative mass as a measure of size rather than a theoretical concept.
  • Preons are introduced as hypothetical particles that could be constituents of quarks and leptons, though it is acknowledged that there is no experimental evidence for their existence.
  • There is a query about microtalentons being smaller than neutrinos, with a participant expressing confusion about their nature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion includes multiple competing views regarding the existence of particles smaller than quarks, such as preons and microtalentons, and remains unresolved on these points.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions and implications of negative mass, as well as the status of hypothetical particles like preons and microtalentons, which lack experimental support.

fedorfan
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Are we even near finding anything smaller than quarks or what quarks are made of?
 
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At the present time quarks are considered "fundamental", ie. the smallest quarks (up and down) don't decay into anything else, although they do transform into each other.

Smaller than quarks are various leptons, such as electrons and neutrinoes.
 
Whats the smallest out of those(leptons, neutrinoes, and electrons)? Or are they too small to compare?
 
In terms of spatial size, the quarks and leptons are all considered to be pointlike particles in the Standard Model, so one can't say that any of them is the "smallest."

In terms of mass, the neutrinos are the "smallest" of the leptons, followed in order by electrons, muons and taus.
 
I know there's something that is smallest because it would eventually be nothing if there wasnt a limit. Unless negative mass is what I think it is, then there would be no limit to how small something could get. Is negative mass what I am thinking it is? Please explain negative mass.
 
Last edited:
I thought negative mass actually meant like twice as small than positive mass, sorry yall. So neutrinoes, quarks, and the like are the smallest, thanks yall.
 
I just read that preons are sub quark particles. Is this true, are preons smaller than quarks?
 
Preons are hypothetical particles which would be constituents of quarks and leptons. However there is no experimental evidence to support the theory. You can get a detailed history of the this theory from wikipedia.
 
I just read that microtalentons are smaller than neutrinoes, is this true? What the heck are microtalentons?
 
  • #10
fedorfan said:
I just read that microtalentons are smaller than neutrinoes, is this true? What the heck are microtalentons?

Ha ha ha, you made me look.

Carl
 

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