Quark Numbers in Quarks-Gluons Plasma: Avogadro's Number

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the equality of quark numbers of the three colors in the initial quark-gluon plasma, exploring theoretical implications, observational evidence, and the relationship to concepts in electromagnetism.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why the quark numbers of the three colors are exactly equal in the initial quark-gluon plasma, suggesting that even a tiny excess should lead to observable effects in experiments.
  • Others propose that while the probability of each color being equal is 1/3, the actual mechanism of baryogenesis is not fully understood, leaving room for uncertainty.
  • One participant mentions that confinement leads to color charge neutrality, implying that any initial imbalance would be corrected at a fine-grained level.
  • There are references to Maxwell's equations and their implications for understanding magnetic poles, with some participants drawing parallels to color charge in QCD.
  • Concerns are raised about the completeness of quark theory in explaining both high-energy experiments and cosmic phenomena, questioning the historical development of physics theories.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the ability to observe colored particles, suggesting that any excess color charge would prevent the formation of baryons.
  • Discussions also touch on the absence of free color charges and the implications of this absence for the early universe.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the reasons for the equality of quark numbers or the implications of this equality. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current understanding, including the dependence on theoretical frameworks and the unresolved nature of certain mathematical steps in the context of baryogenesis and quark behavior.

  • #31
I thought we were making progress in what exactly the question is, but I am not so sure.

1. As mentioned, there is no such thing as "pure energy"
2, If I pop a red quark out of the vacuum, I necessarily have to also pop an anti-red antiquark out of the vacuum.
3. All quarkls of the same flavor have the same mass, irresepective of color. Indeed, we have complete freedom to define what we call what color - what @vanhees71 calls "red" I can call "green" and every observable will be exactly the same. (That's what the symmetry means)
4. There is no such thing as an uncolored gluon.

This has to be our starting point. If you don't accept this, we need to get this cleared up before moving on.
 
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