What If Charge is NOT Fundamental?

Recent questions

• What is the relationship between electric charge, isospin, and hypercharge in particles?

  Electric charge is a combination of isospin and hypercharge, as discovered through the study of particles. Isospin and hypercharge are conserved quantities that help explain the relationship between protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei. The understanding of these properties across particles led to the realization that electric charge is a result of the combination of isospin and hypercharge, showcasing the intricate connections between fundamental properties in the realm of particle physics.

• Who discovered the concept of Isospin and what did it propose?

  Werner Heisenberg proposed the concept of Isospin in 1932, suggesting that protons and neutrons may be different states of a single particle. Isospin is a conserved quantity that helps elucidate the relationship between protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei, providing a deeper understanding of the fundamental properties of particles and their interactions.

• What is the significance of the weak force in particle physics?

  The weak force, which can transform particles and only acts on left-handed particles, plays a crucial role in particle physics. Connected to quantum spin through weak isospin, the weak force is fundamental in understanding the behavior and interactions of elementary particles like electrons, neutrinos, and quarks. The weak force, carried by W and Z bosons, is a fundamental property that contributes to the intricate web of forces and particles in the universe.

• How did the breaking of electroweak symmetry impact the forces in the early universe?

  The breaking of electroweak symmetry in the early universe had a profound impact on the forces present. This breaking separated the weak and electromagnetic forces, leading to the observation of electric charge as a remnant of ancient fields. The separation of these forces resulted in the distinct manifestations of the weak force and electromagnetic force, shaping the fundamental interactions and properties of particles in the universe.

• What geometric patterns in particles led to the prediction and discovery of the omega baryon?

  Murray Gell-Mann noticed geometric patterns in particles based on isospin and hypercharge, which ultimately led to the prediction and discovery of the omega baryon. Recognizing these patterns as representations of the mathematical symmetry group SU(3), Gell-Mann unveiled the intricate relationships between particles and their components. This discovery paved the way for a deeper understanding of the structure of nucleons and the existence of smaller components called quarks within them.