The role of $qqqq\bar{q}$ components in the nucleon and the N(1440) resonance

The role of $q\bar q$ components in the nucleon and the N(1440) resonance is studied by explicit coupling of the lowest positive parity $qqqq\bar q$ state to the $qqq$ components in the harmonic oscillator quark model. The lowest energy $qqqq\bar q$ component, where the 4-quark subsystem has the flavor-spin symmetry $[4]_{FS}[22]_F[22]_S$, is close in energy to the lowest positive parity excitation of the nucleon in the $qqq$ quark model. The confining interaction leads to a strong mixing of the $qqqq\bar q$ system and the positive parity excited state of the $qqq$ system. This result is in line with the phenomenological indications for a two-component structure of the N(1440) resonance. The presence of substantial $q\bar q$ components in the N(1440) can bring about a reconciliation of the constituent quark model with the large empirical decay width of the N(1440).