Quantum isospin and q-hadrons -: art. no. 036001

We consider the possibility that the SU(2) isospin symmetry, exact in strong interactions but only approximate in nature, is in fact a quantum group. Using a doublet of q-quarks, we build the wave functions of pi-mesons, nucleons, and a baryons. We redo the usual quark model computation for the magnetic moments and mass relations, and everything fits with experimental data. We find, nevertheless, that it is impossible to parameterize successfully the large mass difference between the charged and neutral ions with the single q of the quantum group U-q(sl(2)) derived from baryons.