Particle Size & Mass: Same Size Different Mass?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of particle size and mass, specifically addressing whether there are particles that exhibit the same size but different masses. Participants explore definitions of size in the context of quantum field theory (QFT) and hadrons, and they examine examples of particles with similar characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that elementary particles do not have a spatial extension in QFT, suggesting that the concept of size needs clarification.
  • It is proposed that size can be defined in terms of rms radius or cross section, leading to questions about particles with similar sizes but different masses.
  • Examples such as protons and neutrons are mentioned as having similar size and mass, but the definition of "similar" is questioned.
  • One participant challenges the idea that particles can have exactly the same mass, except for particle/anti-particle pairs, and cites specific examples of particles with different masses.
  • Discussion includes D and B mesons as having similar sizes but significantly different masses, with specific measurements provided.
  • Concerns are raised about the measurement of particle sizes and the implications for understanding particle properties.
  • There is a mention of a relevant article discussing the proton's mass and charge radius, contributing to the complexity of the topic.
  • Some participants assert that protons are not point particles, emphasizing the need for clarity in definitions.
  • References to external sources and previous discussions are made to support various points raised in the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions of size and mass, with no consensus on whether particles can have the same size but different masses. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the ambiguity in defining "size" and the challenges in measuring particle properties accurately. The discussion also highlights the dependence on theoretical models and experimental data.

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Are there examples of particles with same size but different masses?
 
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Elementary particles do not have a spatial extension in QFT. Size of a hadron one usually mean rms charged radius which in some way is analogous to how we can talk about "size" of an atom.

I think you either need to specify what you mean by size, or simply re-evaluate your concept of size in subatomic physics.
 
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malawi_glenn said:
Elementary particles do not have a spatial extension in QFT. Size of a hadron one usually mean rms charged radius which in some way is analogous to how we can talk about "size" of an atom.

I think you either need to specify what you mean by size, or simply re-evaluate your concept of size in subatomic physics.
It can be rms radius charge or cross section. So are there examples of particles with similar ‘size’ but different masses?
 
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Ranku said:
It can be rms radius charge or cross section. So are there examples of particles with similar ‘size’ but different masses?
Cross section means reaction probability in particle physics :)
Hadrons don't have a definitive size and only a few charged rms values are known experimentally. Some have been calculated theoretically. But sure for instance the proton and the neutron have both similar size and mass. Kinda depends on what you mean by similar size, what does similar mean? Plus/minus 10%? There are no particles that have exactly the same mass except particle/anti particle pairs.
 
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malawi_glenn said:
Plus/minus 10% there are no particles that have exactly the same mass except particle/anti particle pairs.
Sure about that?
I won't cheat by using isospin multiplets.
I won't cheat by using SU(3) flavor multiplets.
I won't cheat by using quarkonia.
I won't cheat by picking particles with identical quark content.
I won't even cheat by picking particles with identical valence quark content.

Λ(1115) and φ(1020), 9.3% different.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Sure about that?
I forgot a "?" there, and a capital letter :) I was typing on my cell phone.
That sentence makes no sense as you quoted it, since plus/minus 10% and exactly the same does not fit xD

Now it should make more sense:
malawi_glenn said:
Plus/minus 10%? There are no particles that have exactly the same mass except particle/anti particle pairs.
So the "plus/minus 10%?" I mean't how accurate the OP wanted "similar" to be.
 
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There is no good way to measure this but D and B mesons should have a similar size, for the strong interaction both charm and bottom are simply a heavy quark. They have very different masses.
 
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mfb said:
There is no good way to measure this
Transition magnetic moments tells you this. The problem is that these are OK for B*'s but small for D*'s.
 
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  • #11
StandardsGuy said:
So if mass size and charge size and scalar size are all different, a proton can't be a point particle.
No one has ever said that protons are point particles either. At least not here. And if they do, they are of course wrong. The proton is not an elementary particle. Did you think it is or what? Even if those radii were the same, proton would not be a pointparticle.

Here is the paper in Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05730-4 which is a pretty good source.
 
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  • #12
malawi_glenn said:
[...] Now, go and find for us the proof of neutrino size. Are you working on it?
These last posts remind me of the opening paragraph in Laughlin's Nobel Lecture.
 
  • #13
apostolosdt said:
These last posts remind me of the opening paragraph in Laughlin's Nobel Lecture.
By all means, enlighten us.
 
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  • #14
malawi_glenn said:
By all means, enlighten us.
Though not difficult to trace that Lecture, what I recalled was this (in Laughlin's own words):
1680725305840.png

(https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/laughlin-lecture.pdf).
 
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  • #16
Did StandardsGuy dissapear? If some moderation has been done, perhaps some more posts should be removed?
 

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