- #1
CyberShot
- 133
- 2
So, I know that spin is very important in quantum mechanics/elementary particles. But just what is spin, PHYSICALLY?
Is it the way a particle rotates (spins)? The direction? The velocity at which it rotates? What does it mean for a particle to half 1/2 a spin and the other to have spin 1? Does it mean that the spin 1 has "twice" as much of this so-called spin as the spin 1/2 particle? Is the spin number a relative measure of whatever "spin" is?
Just to show you how frustrated I am trying to get a complete answer.
Wikipedia's view on spin:
"a fundamental characteristic property of elementary particles, composite particles (hadrons), and atomic nuclei"
OK, but that's not very descriptive at all. The fact that when I asked my physics TA what spin was, and he gave me an answer which was kind of non-informative and avoidant of the answer, just shows how extremely vague the term really is.
Can anyone give me a non-technical, physically relevant answer? Just what the heck is spin, anways?
Is it the way a particle rotates (spins)? The direction? The velocity at which it rotates? What does it mean for a particle to half 1/2 a spin and the other to have spin 1? Does it mean that the spin 1 has "twice" as much of this so-called spin as the spin 1/2 particle? Is the spin number a relative measure of whatever "spin" is?
Just to show you how frustrated I am trying to get a complete answer.
Wikipedia's view on spin:
"a fundamental characteristic property of elementary particles, composite particles (hadrons), and atomic nuclei"
OK, but that's not very descriptive at all. The fact that when I asked my physics TA what spin was, and he gave me an answer which was kind of non-informative and avoidant of the answer, just shows how extremely vague the term really is.
Can anyone give me a non-technical, physically relevant answer? Just what the heck is spin, anways?
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