Why do atomic particles spin?

Question

Yes I know it is more stable that way, but why? If particles can spontaneously form from energy as some evidence suggests, how does their spin get started?

Answer 1

Just a word of warning here... Particles don't actually "spin"! We normally say that they "have such-and-such a spin". You must not take the word literally and imagine an electron spinning like a top on the surface of your desk. (For all we know, the electron could be a purely punctual particle: how could you picture of mathematical point actually spinning?)

The spin of a particle is simply yet another property of the particle, just like the "charge" or the "mass". You might as well have asked "Why are particles electrically charged?" Or "Why has an electron got this particular mass?"

There is no profound answer known to science for all these questions. That is part of the reason why some physicists have been trying to develop "string theory", in an attempt to deduce the various properties of the fundamental particles out of a smaller set of "axioms". Even if that were to succeed (which is far from obvious at the moment), it would still not be a definitive answer to the "why" you asked: it would merely move the question one step further. The new question would become: "Why are strings the way they are?"

That said, the notion of spin is crucial because it comes with a "law of conservation". You probably heard of
* the conservation of momentum,
* the conservation of angular momentum,
* the conservation of energy,
* the conservation of charge.
To these four laws, you must add a fifth:
* the conservation of spin.

Answer 2

"As for the particles, I do not know why they spin. We do not even know if
they really do spin. We know they are magnetic. We know that a moving
electric charge makes a magnetic field. We also know that electric charge
moving in a circle makes a magnetic field exactly like that of the various
particles. Saying the particles spin is an easy way to explain their
magnetism. It also agrees with the different kinds of collisions that can
happen. If the particles do really spin, nobody knows why."
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00595.htm

Answer 3

generally, scientists have considered spin to be analogous to angular momentum, so spin may be be like the angular rotation of a particle, merely like the earth rotating around its axis. rather, little in the quantum international is rather like the international we detect, so it must be 'like' angular momentum yet could be something somewhat diverse. Spin is additionally linked with the rotational symmetries of a particle. diverse spins could correspond to non-provide up rotational symmetry, a hundred and eighty degree symmetry, 360, 720, and so on. so it has some intrinsic meaning with regards to the character of the particle Spins can generate magnetic dipoles which will properly be measured by potential of kit.

Answer 4

Come on, the spin forms from energy. But energy itself is neither created nor can it be destroyed. Energy is merely transferred as stated in the Law of Conservation of Energy. Also, stated in the Law of Conservation of Mass, matter is not created not even destroyed. Therefore, the atoms did not begin spinning, it was already spinning before, and will spin through eternity.

Answer 5

Its not because of stability. Beyond that its a mystery... one among many and fundamental to the secrets of existence. We'll know the answers soon.

Answer 6

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/clarencedulaney/WHY+SPIN+806

Answer 7

they spin and seperate because of nuclear reaction....nuclear is only bad if used in weapons

Answer 8

They hear music playing and it gets them going.