SUMMARY
Protons and neutrons are not considered point particles; they possess a non-zero size and are made up of quarks and gluons. Specifically, protons and neutrons have a measured radius of approximately 0.8 femtometers (fm). Their mass does not correlate with size, as there exist elementary particles with significantly greater mass than protons and neutrons. The shape of these subatomic particles is generally spherical, although this is subject to measurement uncertainties.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
- Familiarity with particle physics terminology
- Knowledge of quarks and gluons
- Basic grasp of measurement uncertainties in physics
NEXT STEPS
- Research the structure of quarks and gluons
- Learn about the Standard Model of particle physics
- Explore the concept of particle size in quantum mechanics
- Investigate the properties of elementary particles
USEFUL FOR
Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on particle physics and quantum mechanics, will benefit from this discussion.