What is spin in subatomic particles

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter h1010134
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Particles Spin
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of spin in subatomic particles, particularly focusing on what spin actually represents rather than its implications or values associated with different particles. The scope includes conceptual clarification and exploratory reasoning regarding the nature of spin.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the nature of spin, noting that it is not simply the speed at which particles rotate.
  • Others point out that previous discussions have focused on the values of spin for different particles rather than explaining the concept itself.
  • A participant suggests that the existing threads may contain relevant information, encouraging others to read them for a deeper understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the question of what spin is remains unresolved, with multiple competing views and a lack of consensus on the explanation of the concept.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the absence of a clear definition of spin and the reliance on previous discussions that may not directly address the fundamental question.

h1010134
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
E.g. electrons. From other posts and Wikipedia, it apparently isn't the speed at which the particles rotate, so what the heck is it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There have been numerous threads here, some of them probably even on-going. So read those posts and ask questions there. A new thread is no longer necessary.
 
I have read them. Topics and subsequent replies deal with what particles have what spin, and why they have that particular spin value. None of them actually asks the question : what is spin.
 
You already posted on another thread. I'll post there.
 
h1010134 said:
I have read them. Topics and subsequent replies deal with what particles have what spin, and why they have that particular spin value. None of them actually asks the question : what is spin.

Here are a few that (especially if you follow the links in them) come close. If you've read them, you may be able to form a question that will get a more satisfying answer.
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=630057&highlight=spin
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=629181&highlight=spin
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=615516&highlight=spin
 
Okay... thanks for the links. Will read them.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Need Help on Particle Spin
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Graduate Coleman: "Spin is a concept that applies only to particles with mass"
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Do physically rotating particles affect Stern Gerlach results?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School What is actually spinning in quantum spin?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
High School What does it mean that a spin 1/2 particle needs two full rotations?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad About nature of superposition of states
  • · Replies 124 ·
5
Replies
124
Views
9K
Graduate SU(2) and SU(3) representations to describe spin states
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Generating Entangled Electron Pairs
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School What exactly is spin? Does the standard model work without spin?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
Undergrad Direction of motion of particles with total spin under magnetic field
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K