What Are Fermions and Bosons in the Meson Quark Model?

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SUMMARY

Fermions are defined as particles with half-integer spin (e.g., 1/2, 3/2), while bosons possess integer spin (e.g., 1, 2, 3). In the context of the quark model, mesons are composed of a quark and an anti-quark, with specific charge and strangeness properties. For instance, a meson with strangeness (S) requires the inclusion of a strange quark, making it impossible to have a meson with charge Q=+1 or S=-1. Additionally, pions are classified as mesons, whereas muons are elementary particles belonging to the lepton family.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and particle physics terminology
  • Familiarity with quark model and its components
  • Knowledge of particle classification (fermions vs. bosons)
  • Basic concepts of charge and strangeness in particle physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of quarks and their interactions in the Standard Model
  • Learn about the role of leptons in particle physics, focusing on muons
  • Explore the implications of particle spin on wave functions for fermions and bosons
  • Investigate the differences between mesons and baryons in the context of particle composition
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Students and researchers in particle physics, physicists specializing in quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental classifications of matter.

Flavia
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1) What is mean by fermion with half integer spin and boson with integer spin

Is that fermion, 1/2,3/2...
boson, 1,2,3

2) Why meson don't have q = +1, S = -1 or q = -1, S = +1 in term of quark model
 
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1) Yes, the term "fermion" is referred to particle that have half integer spin (as you said 1/2, 3/2 and so on), while "boson" is referred to particle with integer spin. This have many consequences. First of all the wave function of N fermions must be antisymmetric under exchange of any two of this N fermions, while for bosons it has to be symmetric.

2) In term of quark model a "meson" is a particle composed by a quark and an anti-quark. There are six quarks in nature and their quantum numbers are (considering only charge and strangeness):

UP (u) Q=+2/3 S=0
DOWN (d) Q=-1/3 S=0
CHARM (c) Q=+2/3 S=0
STRANGE (s) Q=-1/3 S=-1
TOP (t) Q=+2/3 S=0
BOTTOM (b) Q=-1/3 S=0

The only way to have a meson with strangeness is to include a strange or anti-strange quark in its composition. So for example, if you want a meson with S=-1 you have to put a strange quark, but for the composition of mesons, the other element must be a anti-quark and as you can see from the list there is no way you can have a total charge Q=+1. The same reasoning is valid for the other combination S=+1 Q=-1.
 
Ok thanks! get it.

What is the differences between pion and muon?
 
A pion is a meson whereas a muon is part of a group of particles called leptons.
 
Also, in our current understanding a pion is a composed particle (is a meson) while the muon is known as an elementary particle.
 

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