Centrality Evolution of Transverse Momentum Spectra of Identified Light-Flavor Hadrons in p+Pb Collisions at √s_nn = 5.02 TeV at the LHC Within a Two-Component Model

We analyze the centrality (⟨N_part⟩) dependencies of midrapidity transverse momentum (p_T) spectra for identified light-flavor hadrons (charged pions and kaons, protons and antiprotons) in asymmetric p+Pb collisions at √s_nn = 5.02 TeV at the LHC. Using the new two-component Tsallis-Hagedorn Model with Transverse Flow (THMTF), we describe the ALICE experimental data up to p_T = 20 GeV/c across seven multiplicity classes. To reveal potential system-size dependencies, these results are systematically compared with symmetric Pb+Pb collisions at √s_nn = 2.76 and 5.02 TeV. It is estimated that collective radial flow emerges at ⟨N_part⟩ ≈ 4.0 ± 0.5 along with simultaneous transitioning of kinetic freeze-out temperature (T₀) to a nearly plateau region in p+Pb collisions. The kinetic freeze-out temperature (T₀) appears to demonstrate distinct centrality dependencies in small and large collision systems before reaching a stable plateau. In p+Pb collisions, T₀ initially rises up to its threshold value before stabilizing, suggesting that high energy densities in central p+Pb events might cause the compact system to decouple rapidly before undergoing significant expansion. Conversely, in Pb+Pb collisions, T₀ steadily decreases up to a larger threshold ⟨N_part⟩ value before reaching a plateau. This initial downward trend of T₀ in Pb+Pb collisions is consistent with the larger volume of heavy-ion fireballs, which may undergo more prolonged hydrodynamic expansion and extensive cooling before reaching the low-density decoupling limit. In both p+Pb and Pb+Pb collision environments, central collisions point toward enhanced thermalization, as deduced from decreasing-with-centrality trend of non-extensivity parameter q. Parameter q hierarchy (q (mesons) > q (baryons)) suggests that baryons may form predominantly in the highly thermalized core. In both p+Pb and Pb+Pb systems, the momentum scale parameter (P₀) rises steadily with centrality and correlates strongly positively with the average flow velocity (< β_T >), suggesting that larger pressure gradients may simultaneously drive collective flow and high-p_T particle production. However, at high p_T, the power-index n points to potentially different dynamics between the two systems. While large-scale Pb+Pb collisions exhibit spectral flattening likely related to strong hydrodynamic pressure, the p+Pb system shows a stable n for mesons (consistent with vacuum-like jet fragmentation), but a rising-with-centrality trend of n for protons and antiprotons. This rise of power-index n may indicate intermediate-p_T baryon enhancement via parton recombination/coalescence. These different physical trends are supported by Pearson correlation analyses of extracted model parameters in p+Pb and Pb+Pb collision systems. The results of present work establish critical benchmarks for theoretical models describing the transition from microscopic interactions to collective behavior in high-energy collisions.