What guarantees the electron mass

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    Electron Mass
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the physics of electron mass in the context of pair production, exploring why electrons and positrons have equal mass and the implications of this equality. The scope includes theoretical considerations, experimental observations, and the intrinsic properties of fundamental particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question what physics determines the mass of electrons in pair production and why one cannot have more mass than the other.
  • One participant asserts that the mass of a bare electron is well-defined and that any particle with a different mass would not be classified as an electron.
  • Another participant states that the mass of fundamental particles is an intrinsic property, similar to charge and spin.
  • It is noted that the mass of the electron is measured experimentally, and there is skepticism about the existence of a theoretical framework that accurately predicts this mass.
  • One participant mentions that observations in bubble chambers show the charge to mass ratio for positrons and electrons is the same, suggesting a possible small difference in mass but no compelling reason to believe it exists.
  • Another participant highlights that the positron must have the same mass and opposite charge to the electron due to CPT symmetry.
  • There are references to incomplete theories that attempt to explain the masses of electrons and other fermions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of electron mass and its theoretical underpinnings. While there is agreement on the equality of mass between electrons and positrons, the reasons for this equality and the existence of predictive theories remain contested.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of current theories and the reliance on experimental measurements, indicating that the discussion may be constrained by the current understanding of particle physics.

semc
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I am just wondering in pair production, what is the physics that determine the mass of the electrons? Why can't the electron get more mass than the positron or the other way round?
 
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semc said:
I am just wondering in pair production, what is the physics that determine the mass of the electrons? Why can't the electron get more mass than the positron or the other way round?

This is a bit puzzling. Maybe you should explain why, in a pair production, you think electrons can have variable masses.

Please note that the mass of a bare electron is well-defined. A bare particle, having a mass different than an electron, is no longer an electron. We either call it a muon, or we have discovered a new particle.

Zz.
 
semc said:
I am just wondering in pair production, what is the physics that determine the mass of the electrons? Why can't the electron get more mass than the positron or the other way round?

The mass of fundamental particles is simply an intrinsic property, much like charge and spin.
 
The mass of the electron is something we measure from experiment. I don't believe there is any good theory for predicting the mass. We observe in bubble chambers and the like that the positron charge to mass ratio is the same as the electron charge to mass ratio. It's possible that there is some small difference in masses, but there's no compelling reason to believe so.
 
Khashishi said:
The mass of the electron is something we measure from experiment. I don't believe there is any good theory for predicting the mass. We observe in bubble chambers and the like that the positron charge to mass ratio is the same as the electron charge to mass ratio. It's possible that there is some small difference in masses, but there's no compelling reason to believe so.

The positron must have the same mass and opposite charge to the electron by CPT symmetry.

There are (incomplete) theories that attempt to explain the masses of the electron and other fermions.
 

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