What Are Quantum Numbers and How Are They Calculated?

[dbmorpher]

I have read many sources about quantum numbers and I know they have to do with the spin or types of particles in a hadron or boson, but I do not understand how spin could calculated or what it means. There was also something that had symbols that were like, p2, k4, f3...
I just don't understand this and wikipedia isn't helping
Would love to learn more,
dbmorpher

 

[tiny-tim]

hi dbmorpher!

quantum spin doesn't really have an exact analogue to classical spin

however, i personally like to think of the quantum numbers as being like the possible vibrations of a sphere (like the sun) …

it can pulse in and out spherically

or it can squeeze in and out like a concertina

or …​

each possible mode of vibration corresponds to a spherical harmonic which in turn corresponds to quantum numbers

so i personally think of different but related particles as being the same particle vibrating in different ways

There was also something that had symbols that were like, p2, k4, f3...

those letters and numbers are just there to confuse you

here's a pretty diagram from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_harmonics …

(and for what it's worth, here's an unhelpfully detailed description of mine … https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=4002275&postcount=5)

 

[dbmorpher]

Okay thank you