Origin of terminology (baryon number, hypercharge, strangeness)

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter bdeen
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Origin Terminology
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The terms "baryon number," "hypercharge," and "strangeness" are significant in particle physics, with their origins tracing back to influential physicists. The term "strangeness" is attributed to Murray Gell-Mann, although its first mention is debated, with some sources incorrectly citing his 1953 article in Physical Review. "Hypercharge" is believed to have been introduced by Werner Heisenberg, while the term "baryon" derives from the Greek word for heavy, leading to the logical extension of "baryon number." Gell-Mann often favored colorful terminology in his lectures, contributing to the adoption of "strangeness" over alternatives like "curious."

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics terminology
  • Familiarity with the contributions of Murray Gell-Mann
  • Knowledge of the historical context of particle physics from 1947-1964
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context of particle physics terminology
  • Examine Murray Gell-Mann's contributions to particle physics
  • Explore the role of Heisenberg in the development of hypercharge
  • Investigate the evolution of terminology in scientific literature
USEFUL FOR

Particle physicists, historians of science, and students studying the development of terminology in physics will benefit from this discussion.

bdeen
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I'm doing some research on the history of particle physics from 1947-1964, and have been completely unable to find an answer to this question -- does anyone know when and by whom terms such as baryon number and hypercharge were introduced?

A related question...Several of my sources cite a 1953 article by Gell-Mann ("Isospin and New Unstable Particles," Physical Review 92 p. 833) as the origin of the term "strangeness." But the term is never mentioned in this article, and it would seem that the article doesn't regard strangeness at all, unless I am confused. Any thoughts about this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I have no references to any of this, but just my best guess.

I am pretty sure GellMann did indeed coin the word strangeness.
I want to say Hypercharge comes from Heisenberg.

Baryon number... Wow, that would be hard b/c its such obvious terminology. No clue.
 
Baryon came from the Greek for heavy. Baryon number was a reasonable extension.
Gell Mann possibly coined strangeness in a lecture. He liked to introduce colorful terminology that way. The early terminology for the new particles was "strange", but also "curious".
Strange won out.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 62 ·
3
Replies
62
Views
11K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 61 ·
3
Replies
61
Views
9K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K