Exploring Nucleus Grouping: Proton, Neutron, or Quark Clump?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the composition of a nucleus and whether it is made up of individual protons and neutrons or just a cluster of quarks. The speaker also asks about the possibility of protons and neutrons meshing together to form a quark cluster. The response explains that there is indeed grouping into protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and compares it to the formation of a solid in a noble gas.
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Jonnyb42
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Nucleas Grouping??

Why do we say a nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons when those protons and neutrons are themselves composed of quarks?

Is there really grouping to these protons and neutrons or do we just say it is composed of protons and neutrons for convenience (and that it is really just a quark clump)?

I ask only specific to a nucleus because I know that during decays and such groups of 3 quarks (uud) will be called a proton, but is it so in a nucleus?

If there is grouping of protons and neutrons within the nucleus, what prevents them from meshing all together to just be a quark cluster?

thanks,
Jonny
 
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Yes, there is grouping into protons and neutrons in the nucleus. What you call a quark cluster is called quark gluon plasma and only observed in high energy collisions of atomic nuclei for very short times. You may compare it e.g. to a solid of a noble gas. There, the atoms also don't fuse into a structureless lump but keep their identity.
 

1. What is the nucleus grouping composed of?

The nucleus grouping is composed of protons, neutrons, and quark clumps.

2. What are the roles of protons, neutrons, and quark clumps in the nucleus grouping?

Protons and neutrons make up the majority of the mass of the nucleus, while quark clumps are responsible for holding the protons and neutrons together through the strong nuclear force.

3. How are protons, neutrons, and quark clumps different from each other?

Protons and neutrons are both made of smaller particles called quarks, but they differ in their electric charge (protons are positive, neutrons are neutral) and mass (protons are slightly heavier than neutrons). Quark clumps are a theoretical concept that is thought to be the building blocks of protons and neutrons.

4. How are protons, neutrons, and quark clumps related to the atomic number and mass number of an element?

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus is equal to its atomic number, while the sum of protons and neutrons is equal to its mass number. Quark clumps are not typically considered in the atomic and mass numbers as they are too small to be measured.

5. Can quark clumps exist independently outside of the nucleus grouping?

No, quark clumps are thought to only exist within the nucleus grouping, as they are held together by the strong nuclear force which is only present in the nucleus. Outside of the nucleus, quark clumps would quickly break apart.

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