SU(3) Mass Splittings for $\bar{q}q$ Mesons and $qqq$ Baryons

By 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 $\sigma$ 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.