Heavier proton, lighter deuteron?

In summary, the mass of a bound system of quarks, such as a proton, is larger than the sum of its constituent quark masses. This is due to the energy in the color field, which increases as the quarks get closer. However, for a bound system of electric charges, like a hydrogen atom, the mass is smaller than the sum of its constituent particle masses. This is because the electric force decreases with distance. It was expected that a bound system of nucleons would behave similarly to a system of quarks, but the deuteron's mass is actually less than the sum of its constituent nucleon masses. This suggests that the strong force, which is responsible for binding nucleons together, decreases with distance. This
  • #1
bakshi
10
0
Hi,

The mass of a bound system of quarks (e.g. proton) is larger than the mass of its constituents. You could say this is because the mass of the system corresponds to the energy in the color field, which is larger when the quarks are closer (even if the force is weaker then).

For a bound system of electric charges (e.g. H atom), it is the opposite: mass of bound system is smaller than mass of its constituents. I understand this is because the electric force decreases with distance, while the color force increases with distance.

Now, we would expect a bound system of nucleons (e.g. deuteron) to have a behaviour similar to that of a system of quarks, since the strong force (force between nucleons) is just a residual color force. But this is not the case: the deuteron's mass is less than the mass of its constituents.

Does that mean that the strong force decreases with distance? If this is so, how can you get that from a force (color) that increases with distance?

Thank you
 
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  • #2
the color force between the quarks of proton in deutron and a free proton is equal. now add to deuteron the quarks and color of neutron which is greater than the proton itself.
did u say that the electric force decreases so mass decreases?
now electric forces are carried by massless photons not mass containing gluons.
paradox resolved!
 
  • #3
however i think that gluons do not necessarily have some mass unlike w and z bosons
In (The science of matter and energy and their interactions) physics, gluons are the (Click link for more info and facts about bosonic particles) bosonic particles which are responsible for the (Click link for more info and facts about strong nuclear force) strong nuclear force. They bind (Hypothetical truly fundamental particle in mesons and baryons; there are supposed to be six flavors of quarks (and their antiquarks), which come in pairs; each has an electric charge of +2/3 or -1/3) quarks together to form (A stable particle with positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron) protons and (An elementary particle with 0 charge and mass about equal to a proton; enters into the structure of the atomic nucleus) neutrons as well as other (Any elementary particle that interacts strongly with other particles) hadrons; their (The quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons) electric charge is zero, their (A swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)) spin is 1 and they are generally assumed to have zero (The property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field) mass (although a mass as large as a few (Click link for more info and facts about MeV) MeV may not be precluded).
 
  • #4
nabodit said:
however i think that gluons do not necessarily have some mass unlike w and z bosons
In (The science of matter and energy and their interactions) physics, gluons are the (Click link for more info and facts about bosonic particles) bosonic particles which are responsible for the (Click link for more info and facts about strong nuclear force) strong nuclear force. They bind (Hypothetical truly fundamental particle in mesons and baryons; there are supposed to be six flavors of quarks (and their antiquarks), which come in pairs; each has an electric charge of +2/3 or -1/3) quarks together to form (A stable particle with positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron) protons and (An elementary particle with 0 charge and mass about equal to a proton; enters into the structure of the atomic nucleus) neutrons as well as other (Any elementary particle that interacts strongly with other particles) hadrons; their (The quantity of unbalanced electricity in a body (either positive or negative) and construed as an excess or deficiency of electrons) electric charge is zero, their (A swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)) spin is 1 and they are generally assumed to have zero (The property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field) mass (although a mass as large as a few (Click link for more info and facts about MeV) MeV may not be precluded).

Hum... did you cut-and-paste this from somewhere but forgot to either include the links, or delete the references to those links?

:)

Zz.
 
  • #5
Here is some other copy/paste 'work' :)

Lattice QCD (very introductory)

http://www.cerncourier.com/main/article/44/5/13


What are dynamical quarks and why is the hadronmass bigger then the sum of the constituent quarkmasses (which is the opposite to the mass of nucleus being smaller then the sum of the constituent nucleon masses, because of the negative binding energy):

http://www.cerncourier.com/main/article/44/5/13/1/cernlatt2_6-04

Those dynamical quarks generate less mass at larger distances because the vacuum energy fluctuations are smaller due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle (larger distances <--> smaller energies), thus their contributions in nucleons are much smaller as in hadrons. Besides, in this case these quarkpairs are the pions ofcourse, that mediate the residual strong force. Also, the aspects included in the semi-empirical nucleon mass formula are not valid for quarks.


marlon
 

1. What is the difference between a proton and a deuteron?

A proton and a deuteron are both subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The main difference between them is their mass. A proton is about 1 atomic mass unit (amu) while a deuteron is about 2 amu. This means that a deuteron is twice as heavy as a proton.

2. How does the difference in mass between a proton and a deuteron affect their properties?

The difference in mass between a proton and a deuteron affects their properties in terms of stability and behavior. Due to its heavier mass, a deuteron is more stable and less likely to undergo nuclear reactions compared to a proton. Additionally, a deuteron has a larger charge and a larger magnetic moment compared to a proton.

3. Why is a deuteron used in nuclear fusion reactions instead of a proton?

A deuteron is used in nuclear fusion reactions instead of a proton because of its larger mass and charge. In order for fusion to occur, two nuclei must overcome their electrostatic repulsion and fuse together. The larger charge and mass of a deuteron make it easier for fusion to occur compared to two protons.

4. How is a deuteron created?

A deuteron is created through a process called deuteronation, where a proton and a neutron combine to form a deuteron. This can occur naturally through radioactive decay or artificially through particle accelerators. Deuterons can also be created through the fusion of two hydrogen nuclei.

5. What are the practical applications of deuterons?

Deuterons have many practical applications in various fields such as nuclear power and medicine. In nuclear power, deuterons can be used as a fuel source in fusion reactors. In medicine, deuterons can be used in imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans. They can also be used to produce radioisotopes for medical treatments.

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