What makes up the bare mass of elementary particles?

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The discussion centers on the concepts of bare mass and invariant mass in elementary particles, specifically electrons, quarks, and neutrinos. It establishes that invariant mass is the measurable quantity, while bare mass is a theoretical construct arising from renormalization processes in quantum field theory. The conversation also touches on string theory as a potential framework for understanding these particles, although its validity remains debated.

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  • Knowledge of renormalization techniques
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TL;DR
Is it possible to describe in simple language what elementary particles like electrons, quarks or neutrinos having no inner structure do consist of?
And as an aside what is the difference between bare mass and invariant mass of such particles?
 
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string theory is regarded as a challenge to this quest ion. I don’t know it is the right way or not.
 
timmdeeg said:
Is it possible to describe in simple language what elementary particles like electrons, quarks or neutrinos having no inner structure do consist of?
Not if "they are quantum fields" isn't sufficient for you. That is the only answer that our current theories give.

timmdeeg said:
And as an aside what is the difference between bare mass and invariant mass of such particles?
The invariant mass is what we actually measure. The bare mass is a theoretical artifact that comes in as part of renormalization.
 
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Thanks!
 
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