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MP: Fachverband Theoretische und Mathematische Grundlagen der Physik
MP 14: Mass and Momentum
MP 14.1: Vortrag
Donnerstag, 21. März 2024, 15:45–16:05, HL 102
Interpretation of the rest mass of a particle as the rotational energy of its spin — •Matthias Kölbel — Berlin
The rest mass of an elementary particle is usually explained by an interaction with the Higgs field. However, an alternative interpretation of the rest mass can be derived.
In classical mechanics, an angular momentum L is associated with a rotational energy Erot = 1/2 *L*ω. Therefore one should expect that elementary particles carrying an internal angular momentum (spin) of L = h / 2 π (bosons) or L = h / 4 π (fermions) possess a rotational energy, which depends on the rotational velocity ω of the particle. According to de Broglie, a particle has got a characteristic oscillation time τ = h / E, depending on its relativistic energy E = m c2 = √(p*c)2 + (m0 c2)2. Assuming the rotational period of the spin being equal to de Broglie’s oscillation time, the energy equation of the photon transforms into
| E = h * f = h * τ−1 = h / 2 π * 2 π / τ = L * ω, |
which resembles the formula for the classical rotational energy except the prefactor 1/2.
Applying E = L * ω to other bosons being at rest, we get
| E = L * ω = |
| * |
| = |
| = |
| * m0 c2 = m0 c2. |
In the case of fermions with L = h / 4 π and ω = 4 π / τ (due to their rotation symmetry of 720∘), we get the same result: The rest energy m0 c2 can be equated with the rotational energy of the spin L * ω.
Keywords: fundamental physics; mass; spin