Mass: Uniting Quarks & Antimatter in Unexpected Ways

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SUMMARY

Mass behaves differently than other quantum numbers when combining matter (quarks) and antimatter. Specifically, mass adds together rather than cancels out, as anti-particles possess positive mass, not negative mass. This is due to mass being the magnitude of the energy-momentum four-vector, which is always positive, in accordance with the equation E=mc². Experimental evidence supports that particles, including anti-particles, exhibit positive mass.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with particle physics terminology
  • Knowledge of the energy-momentum four-vector
  • Basic grasp of Einstein's mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of quarks and anti-quarks
  • Study the implications of the energy-momentum four-vector in particle physics
  • Explore experimental evidence regarding the mass of anti-particles
  • Investigate advanced topics in quantum field theory
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of matter and antimatter.

talanum52
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Homework Statement
Why does mass behave differently?
Relevant Equations
N/A
Mass behaves opposite that of other quantum numbers when combining matter (quarks) and antimatter. Why?
 
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Is this really a homework question? In any case, the question is not clear.

What does "opposite" mean here? And mass is not a quantum number...
 
DrClaude said:
Is this really a homework question? In any case, the question is not clear.

What does "opposite" mean here? And mass is not a quantum number...
It adds together, rather than cancel.
 
talanum52 said:
It adds together, rather than cancel.
Anti-particles have positive mass, not negative mass.
 
jbriggs444 said:
Anti-particles have positive mass, not negative mass.
Why?
 
talanum52 said:
Why?
Because "mass" is the magnitude of the energy-momentum four-vector which is always positive.

In simpler but almost completely equivalent terms, because ##E=mc^2## (in a particle's rest frame) and energy is always positive.

And because the notion of particles that speed up when you apply a retarding force is not very sensible.

And because experiment shows that they have positive mass.
 
Last edited:
O.K. Thank you.
 
DrClaude said:
Is this really a homework question?
No, the OP has the recent days posted several of their questions in the HW forum which actually belongs in the technical forums (some threads got deleted because of OP is working on their own model of particles.)
 
Last edited:

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