How do gluons bind quarks together?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mechanism by which gluons bind quarks together, highlighting the role of virtual gluons in quark interactions. It emphasizes that gluon exchange can lead to both attractive and repulsive forces, contrasting this with the electromagnetic interactions mediated by photons. Richard Feynman's comparison of gluons in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) to photons in quantum electrodynamics (QED) is noted, particularly the differences in their coupling constants, with gluons exhibiting a more complex behavior due to a larger coupling constant.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum chromodynamics (QCD)
  • Familiarity with quantum electrodynamics (QED)
  • Knowledge of particle physics terminology, including quarks and gluons
  • Basic grasp of force mediation in particle interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of virtual particles in quantum field theory
  • Study the differences between coupling constants in QCD and QED
  • Explore the concept of confinement in particle physics
  • Read Richard Feynman's 'QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter'
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental forces and interactions at the subatomic level.

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How does the exchange of gluons between quarks "bind" them together?
 
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Unredeemed said:
How does the exchange of gluons between quarks "bind" them together?
Your question can be understood at several levels. The way I understand it, it may be re-phrased
why does the potential grow linearly ?
in a non-relativistic picture of quark-quark interaction via gluon exchange.

All the way up to
what is the physical mechanism for confinement of light quarks in Nature ?
there are many other possible interpretations.
 
As in, why does the fact that virtual gluons pass between quarks constantly mean that they stay together as neutrons and protons?

In other words, how does the virtual gluon transmit an attractive force?
 
Unredeemed said:
how does the virtual gluon transmit an attractive force?
It does not. Gluon exchange can result in both attractive and repulsive interactions.

You indeed may want to review how the photon transmit electromagnetic interaction.
 
Unredeemed said:
How does the exchange of gluons between quarks "bind" them together?

Though I can't say I fully understand it myself, Richard Feynman compares gluons and chromodynamics with photons and electrodynamics, talking about a coupling constant referred to as j for photons and g for gluons, which seems relative to amplitude, in the book 'QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter', g being much larger and more complex to calculate than j.
 
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