Group consists of a set and an operation

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When physicists say "elementary particles form a group," what kind of operations and sets are in question? (I presume, a group consists of a set and an operation)
 
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Ok, the operation for SU(n) is always matrix multiplication.
Now my next question is, what kind of matrices are concerned? What do the elements of the matrices represent?
 
Nope,u missunderstood.They do not form a group,they are irreductible representations of continuous groups...To fully understand it,u must know group theory and their representations...

Daniel.
 
So the continuous group has all the information and things like spin (SU(2)) are just "parts" of it?
 
I have written all this in my journal. Just look for the "introduction to string theory"-entry, part one. There is a paragraphe especially dedicated to how field theories are constructed using global and local symmetries...When imposing such local symmetries, gauge-particles arise...Check it out, it is all in there

regards
marlon
 

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