Abstract
The Lagrangian that defines quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the strong interaction piece of the Standard Model, appears very simple. Nevertheless, it is responsible for an astonishing array of high-level phenomena with enormous apparent complexity, e.g., the existence, number and structure of atomic nuclei. The source of all these things can be traced to emergent mass, which might itself be QCD’s self-stabilising mechanism. A background to this perspective is provided, presenting, inter alia, a discussion of the gluon mass and QCD’s process-independent effective charge and highlighting an array of observable expressions of emergent mass, ranging from its manifestations in pion parton distributions to those in nucleon electromagnetic form factors.
Highlights
One might define emergent phenomena as those features of nature which do not readily admit an explanation solely in terms of known or conjectured mathematical rules
A significant part of the ongoing debate centres on the character of mass and its consequences in the Standard Model of Particle Physics (SM), especially as it emerges from the strong interaction sector; namely, quantum chromodynamics (QCD)
Just as a gluon mass-scale emerges dynamically in QCD, massless current-quarks become massive dressed-quarks through a phenomenon known as dynamical chiral symmetry breaking (DCSB) [116]
Summary
One might define emergent phenomena as those features of nature which do not readily admit an explanation solely in terms of known or conjectured mathematical rules. “emergence” is seen as a larger notion than is typically expected from this literal connection.) This perspective is typically contrasted with that described as reductionism; namely, the view that everything in nature can be viewed as no more complex in principle than, e.g., a (very good) watch, which is clearly a complex object; but, clearly, not more than the sum of its parts. In developing such a contrast through debate, hard lines are sometimes drawn, with individuals deciding or being forced to choose one side or the other. The debate must continue, and, perhaps, its greatest merit is the spur that each side provides the other as we seek to understand our place in the scheme of things
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