In: Physics
What does it mean when we say that integer spin particles are force carrying? Why are photons an example of this?
The essential parameters for classification of particle is their spin. Half integer spin fermions are constrained by the pauli exclusion principle whereas integer spin bosons are not. The electron is a fermion with electron spin 1/2. The quarks are also fermions with spin 1/2. The photons is a boson with spin 1,which is typical boson spin.
Bosons are the particle that carry force. They are characterised by having whole integer spin example-1,0,1 and don't obey the pauli exclusion principle, so you can have loads of them in the same space.Each of the fundamental forces of nature has its own Bosons.Within the Standard model all interactions of fermions are mediated by the exchange of a guage bosons.So all the forces may be described by the interaction of fermions and bosons.Each force has it's own guage bosons associated with it.
And the photons are integer spin particles are force carrying because the electromagnetic force is mediated by a single bosons called photons. This photons or bosons are massless and chargeless particles,so only charged particles feel the effect of the electromagnetic force.