In this thread, ultrafilter asks what exactly is “spin”, as referenced in quantum mechanics.
The consensus seems to be, spin should be considered a quantum number (property) of a particle, and we should read too much into the analogy with everyday macroscopic spin of large objects. I was OK with this, but then I read the following in Hawking’s “A Brief History Of Time”, where he’s discussing symmetries:
He seems to be considering quantum spin as if it’s exactly like our everyday notion of spin! I realize he’s “dumbing down” for the general public, but why would he try to make us think the spin of a sub-atomic particle is just like the spin of a top?
(Netiquette: I wasn’t sure whether to bump a very old thread or open a new one. Sorry if I chose wrongly.)