How do they measure quark masses? Quark charges?

In summary, the mass of a proton is not solely determined by the mass of the three quarks it contains, as a major fraction of the mass comes from interactions. To measure the masses and charges of quarks, physicists use a method of computing how the masses of quark-containing particles depend on the quark masses, and then use observed hadron masses to determine the quark masses. This process is detailed in a technical document, which gives insight into how physicists determine these values despite the confinement of quarks.
  • #1
H_Hernandez
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Hello,

So, I know quarks are confined in baryons. In a proton, there are "3" quarks, but the sum of their masses is not the mass of the proton. This implies a major fraction of the proton mass comes from interactions. My question is, how then do they measure quark u and d masses? And simmilarily, their charges?
 
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Google "quark mass measurement". You will get lots of hits, including old entries in this forum.
 
  • #4
It is possible to compute how the masses of quark-containing particles (such as the proton, neutron, and pion, collectively known as hadrons) depend on the quark masses. Then, the observed values of the hadron masses can be used to determine the quark masses.

For complete details, see

http://pdg.lbl.gov/2012/reviews/rpp2012-rev-quark-masses.pdf

This is a technical document, intended for experts, but I think it's pretty readable nonetheless, and gives a good picture of what physicists actually do to figure these things out. One key point is that, because quarks are confined, their "mass" does not have as clear and simple a definition as it does for unconfined particles such as the electron.
 
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How do they measure quark masses?

Quark masses are measured through a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. One common method is through scattering experiments, where particles collide and the resulting energy and momentum can be used to calculate the mass of quarks.

How are quark charges determined?

Quark charges are determined through a process called charge quantization. This means that the charge of a particle is a multiple of the elementary charge. Quark charges are also inferred from the behavior of particles in strong and weak interactions.

What is the Standard Model and how does it relate to quark masses and charges?

The Standard Model is a theory that describes the fundamental particles and their interactions. It includes quarks, which are the building blocks of protons and neutrons. The masses and charges of quarks are included in the equations of the Standard Model, allowing for predictions and calculations to be made.

Why do quark masses and charges matter in particle physics?

Quark masses and charges are important in particle physics because they determine the behavior of particles and their interactions. The masses of quarks also play a role in the stability of matter and the creation of new particles in high-energy collisions.

Are there any uncertainties or limitations in measuring quark masses and charges?

Yes, there are uncertainties and limitations in measuring quark masses and charges. Theoretical calculations and experimental techniques can introduce errors, and the exact masses and charges of quarks are still not fully understood. Also, the existence of unknown particles or interactions could affect the measurements. Further research and advancements in technology are needed to improve the accuracy of these measurements.

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