2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/177598By comparing SU(3)-breaking scales of linear mass formulae, it is shown that the lowest vector, axial-vector, and scalar mesons all have a $\bar{q}q$ configuration, while the ground-state octet and decuplet baryons are $qqq$. Also, the quark-level linear $σ$ model is employed to predict similar $\bar{q}q$ and $qqq$ states. Finally, the approximate mass degeneracy of the scalar $a_0$(980) and $f_0$(980) mesons is demonstrated to be accidental.8 Pages, AIP Proc. Style; Contribution to the High-Energy Physics Workshop "Scalar Mesons: an Interesting Puzzle for QCD", May 16-18, 2003, SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica (NY)High Energy Physics - Phenomenologytext