# Why t3 , t8 plane ?

preet0283
in sampling about the flavor u,d,s ...we use the t3, t8 generators amd plot all the possible combinations of their eigen values ...and then define u ,d , s...
i want 2 ask that why specifically these 2 SU(3) generators are used t o
define flavors?
I have vague answers 2 this question but m not satisfied with those ...

You posed a bit of a vague question, you might want to reformulate it.

But I think the answer you are looking for is that that the up and down quark are much better symmetry partners (to a great approximation they are eigenstates of isospin symmetry, which the mass of the strange quark spontaneously breaks).

Gold Member
preet0283 said:
in sampling about the flavor u,d,s ...we use the t3, t8 generators amd plot all the possible combinations of their eigen values ...and then define u ,d , s...
i want 2 ask that why specifically these 2 SU(3) generators are used t o
define flavors?
I have vague answers 2 this question but m not satisfied with those ...