Hadrons and SU(3): A critical review

The spectroscopy of hadrons, both bosons and baryons, is critically examined with respect to the SU(3) classification scheme. This is done with respect to the Gell-Mann/Okubo mass formula and the partial decay rates of member states of individual SU(3) multiplet families. The agreement is exceedingly good. The baryons are catalogued into octets with J^P=1/2⁺, 5/2⁺, and 5/2^-, nonets with J^P=3/2^-, 7/2^-, and 1/2^-, and decimets with J^P=3/2⁺ and 7/2⁺ Among the bosons, nonet structure is well established for J^PC multiplets=0^-+, 1^--, and 2⁺⁺, with less firm evidence existing for a host of other multiplets, J^PC=0⁺⁺, 1^+-, 1^-+, 2^--,2^-+ and 3^--.