Massless Fermions: Physics & Existence

In summary, massless fermions are particles with no rest mass that follow the laws of quantum mechanics. They are fundamental particles and have unique properties such as chirality and helicity. They do exist in reality, with the photon being the most well-known example. The existence of massless fermions is significant in various areas of physics and they can have a measurable effect on the world around us, such as the transmission of light and detection in experiments studying nuclear reactions and cosmic rays.
  • #1
LarryS
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Does modern physics allow for the existence of massless fermions?
 
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  • #2
Sure. In the Standard Model, all the fundamental fermions are massless; they only acquire mass through their interaction with the Higgs boson.
 
  • #3
In graphene, there are emergent particles at low energies whose behaviour is well described by a theory of massless fermions. http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0509330
 

FAQ: Massless Fermions: Physics & Existence

What are massless fermions?

Massless fermions are particles that have zero rest mass and follow the laws of quantum mechanics. They are fundamental particles that make up the building blocks of matter, and are classified as fermions because they have half-integer spin.

How do massless fermions differ from other particles?

Massless fermions differ from other particles in that they have no rest mass, meaning they always travel at the speed of light. They also have unique properties such as chirality, which describes their left- or right-handedness, and helicity, which describes their direction of spin.

Do massless fermions exist in reality?

Yes, massless fermions do exist in reality. The most well-known example is the photon, which is the carrier particle of electromagnetic force and has zero rest mass. Other examples include the neutrino and the gluon.

What is the significance of massless fermions in physics?

The existence of massless fermions plays a crucial role in many areas of physics, such as particle physics, cosmology, and condensed matter physics. They also help to explain fundamental interactions between particles and play a role in the Standard Model of particle physics.

Can massless fermions have a measurable effect on the world around us?

Yes, massless fermions can have a measurable effect on the world around us. For example, the photon is responsible for the transmission of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation, and the neutrino has been detected in various experiments studying nuclear reactions and cosmic rays.

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