Right chiral vs left chiral electrons in the standard model

In summary, the conversation discusses how the right chiral and left chiral electrons are referred to as different particles that are 'mixed' by the mass term in the standard model. It is mentioned that they have different quantum numbers and participate differently in weak interactions. It is also questioned whether this separation applies to bosons as well.
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HBrown
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TL;DR Summary
In what sense (if any) is the right chiral and left chiral electron different particles in the standard model?
Sometimes I hear particle physicists refer to left/right chiral electrons as different particles that are 'mixed' by the mass term. Maybe I misunderstood entirely, but if there is even a handwavy sense in which this is the case, clarifications would be appreciated. In high energy collisions where the mass is negligible, do these start to enter calculations as two different kinds of particles or something?
 
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HBrown said:
Summary:: In what sense (if any) is the right chiral and left chiral electron different particles in the standard model?

Sometimes I hear particle physicists refer to left/right chiral electrons as different particles that are 'mixed' by the mass term. Maybe I misunderstood entirely, but if there is even a handwavy sense in which this is the case, clarifications would be appreciated. In high energy collisions where the mass is negligible, do these start to enter calculations as two different kinds of particles or something?
They have different quantum numbers. One is a singlet under the SU(2) of the Standard model while the other is part of a doublet. This means that they participate very differently to weak interactions.
 
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Are any of the bosons also separated into two different left/right chiral fields? Or only the fermions?
 

1. What is the difference between right chiral and left chiral electrons in the standard model?

In the standard model of particle physics, electrons are considered to be fundamental particles that make up matter. The difference between right chiral and left chiral electrons lies in their spin orientation. Right chiral electrons have a spin that is aligned in the same direction as their momentum, while left chiral electrons have a spin that is opposite to their momentum.

2. How do right chiral and left chiral electrons behave differently?

Right chiral and left chiral electrons behave differently in terms of their interactions with other particles. For example, right chiral electrons only interact with particles that have a right-handed spin, while left chiral electrons only interact with particles that have a left-handed spin. This is known as the "chirality" or "handedness" of particles.

3. Are right chiral and left chiral electrons the same as right-handed and left-handed electrons?

While the terms "right chiral" and "left chiral" are often used interchangeably with "right-handed" and "left-handed", they are not exactly the same. Right chiral and left chiral refer to the spin orientation of the electron, while right-handed and left-handed refer to the direction of the electron's momentum. In some cases, the two may be equivalent, but in others they may differ.

4. How are right chiral and left chiral electrons represented in the standard model?

In the standard model, right chiral and left chiral electrons are represented by different fields. Right chiral electrons are described by the right-handed electron field, while left chiral electrons are described by the left-handed electron field. These fields are essential for understanding the interactions and behaviors of particles in the standard model.

5. What is the significance of right chiral and left chiral electrons in the standard model?

The distinction between right chiral and left chiral electrons is important in the standard model because it helps to explain the behavior and interactions of particles in the universe. It also plays a role in understanding symmetries and conservation laws in particle physics. The existence of both right chiral and left chiral particles is necessary for the standard model to accurately describe the fundamental particles and their interactions.

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