How do particles get their spin?

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    Particles Spin
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the origins and nature of particle spin, exploring whether it arises from particle interactions or is an inherent property of fundamental particles. Participants delve into theoretical aspects, including the relationship between spin and quantum representations, as well as the implications of these concepts in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that spin is an inherent property of fundamental particles, similar to charge, and cannot be attributed to physical rotation.
  • Others argue that spin is related to unitary representations of the quantum SO(3) group, which corresponds to spatial rotations, and can be demonstrated through interferometry experiments.
  • One participant references Ballentine's work to support the argument that the half-integral nature of spin can be derived from quantum angular momentum principles.
  • There are claims that common explanations found in other sources, such as Stackexchange, are misleading or poorly informed.
  • Participants express frustration over the prevalence of misconceptions regarding the nature of spin in discussions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the origins of particle spin, with multiple competing views presented. The discussion remains unresolved, with ongoing debate about the correctness of various claims.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion often involves misunderstandings and poorly informed answers, suggesting a need for clearer explanations and references to authoritative sources.

  • #31
BadgerBadger92 said:
What do particles do with their spin?
The total set of a particle's properties , e.g., energy, momentum, parity, charge(s), etc, etc., characterizes the particle. Some properties (the invariants such mass, total angular momentum and charge) determine what type of particle it is. Others, such as energy, momentum, etc, determine its state relative to other particles.

As to what a particle might "do" with any of these properties, well, it could participate in interactions with other particles, possibly producing new particle(s) with new values of these properties.
 
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  • #32
BadgerBadger92 said:
What do particles do with their spin?
I have no idea what you mean by this question.
 
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  • #33
PeterDonis said:
For quantum-classical correspondence, I agree, but that still does not ground a claim that, in the quantum case, a particle having spin means something is actually spinning.
Umm,... I hope you don't think I actually said that, or think that, else we're about to have another major run of mutual misunderstandings... :oldfrown:
 
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  • #34
PeterDonis said:
I have no idea what you mean by this question.
I mean that particles have their spin, and they don’t spin with it. So what are they doing with it? Is it just a property of the particle and doesn’t do anything with it?
 
  • #35
strangerep said:
I hope you don't think I actually said that
I'm clarifying for the OP's sake.
 
  • #36
BadgerBadger92 said:
I mean that particles have their spin, and they don’t spin with it. So what are they doing with it?
I still don't understand what you mean by "doing with it".

BadgerBadger92 said:
Is it just a property of the particle and doesn’t do anything with it?
It is a property of the particle (that was answered way back in post #2), but I still don't understand what "just" and "doesn't do anything with it" mean.
 
  • #37
PeterDonis said:
I still don't understand what you mean by "doing with it".It is a property of the particle (that was answered way back in post #2), but I still don't understand what "just" and "doesn't do anything with it" mean.
Give me a little bit to figure out how to appropriately ask the question.
 
  • #38
PeterDonis said:
I still don't understand what you mean by "doing with it".
I think OP means "interaction". How does the spin of a particle A influence particle B
 
  • #39
BadgerBadger92 said:
Give me a little bit to figure out how to appropriately ask the question.
Never mind I found the answer
 
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  • #40
malawi_glenn said:
I think OP means "interaction". How does the spin of a particle A influence particle B
I wasn’t asking about that but if you could tell me about that too would be great
 
  • #41
BadgerBadger92 said:
I wasn’t asking about that but if you could tell me about that too would be great
Consider this question then "what do particle do with their electric charge"?
or "what do particle do with their mass"?

Can you answer those? Then maybe we can figure out what you are after.
 
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  • #42
BadgerBadger92 said:
Never mind I found the answer
What is the answer?
 
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  • #43
PeterDonis said:
What is the answer?
They don’t do anything with it, it’s just a characteristic of the particle
 
  • #44
BadgerBadger92 said:
They don’t do anything with it, it’s just a characteristic of the particle
What does "do with it" even mean?
They must "do" something, otherwise we would not know about quantum-spin in the first place (hint: interactions)
 
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  • #45
malawi_glenn said:
What does "do with it" even mean?
They must "do" something, otherwise we would not know about quantum-spin in the first place (hint: interactions)
Heh,... this is like asking "what does a lump of rock do with its hardness?"

Answer 1: "By itself, nothing -- it just sits there quietly. That's why they make good pets."

Answer 2: "In interaction with someone else's head,... well,... that gets more interesting..."
 
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  • #46
BadgerBadger92 said:
They don’t do anything with it, it’s just a characteristic of the particle
And how did you come up with that answer?
 
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  • #49
malawi_glenn said:
You found the answer, in a thread where you asked the same question, one year ago...
And with that, this thread is closed.
 
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