Are Subatomic particles a form of matter?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of subatomic particles, specifically electrons, protons, and neutrons, as forms of matter. Participants explore the definitions of matter and the implications of quantum mechanics on this classification, questioning the statements made in Wikipedia regarding the nature of matter.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that electrons, protons, and neutrons are matter because they have mass and occupy space.
  • Others reference Wikipedia's claim that matter is not a fundamental concept, suggesting that elementary particles do not have inherent size or volume.
  • A participant proposes the term "particles of matter" or "matter particles" to describe subatomic particles, citing the standard model terminology.
  • Another participant expresses a personal classification of all fermions as matter but emphasizes that this classification is not crucial to fundamental physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether subatomic particles should be classified as matter. Multiple competing views remain regarding the definitions and implications of matter in the context of quantum physics.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the ambiguity in the definitions of matter and the varying interpretations of quantum entities, as well as the lack of a universally accepted framework for classifying subatomic particles.

SHASHWAT PRATAP SING
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As we know that matter is Anything which has mass and occupies space then are the Subatomic particles like electron,proton and neutron a matter.
Is electron a matter ?
Is proton a matter ?
Is neutron a matter ?
As these particles have mass and they occupy space so they are matter,
But the wikipedia says-
"matter is not a fundamental concept because the elementary constituents of atoms are quantum entities which do not have an inherent "size" or "volume" in any everyday sense of the word. Due to the exclusion principle and other fundamental interactions, some "point particles" known as fermions (quarks, leptons), and many composites and atoms, are effectively forced to keep a distance from other particles under everyday conditions; this creates the property of matter which appears to us as matter taking up space."
Please Help Me.
 
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SHASHWAT PRATAP SING said:
Please Help Me.
What is the problem?
 
A.T. said:
What is the problem?
My problem is that-
Is electron a matter ?
Is proton a matter ?
Is neutron a matter ?
Since these particles have mass and they occupy space so they are a matter,
But then why wikipedia says-
"matter is not a fundamental concept because the elementary constituents of atoms are quantum entities which do not have an inherent "size" or "volume" in any everyday sense of the word. Due to the exclusion principle and other fundamental interactions, some "point particles" known as fermions (quarks, leptons), and many composites and atoms, are effectively forced to keep a distance from other particles under everyday conditions; this creates the property of matter which appears to us as matter taking up space."

why wikipedia says the subatomic particles are not matter ?
Is electron not a matter ?
Is proton not a matter ?
Is neutron not a matter ?
electron, proton and neutron have mass and occupy space so they are matter but then why wikipedia says the subatomic particles are not matter ?
 
SHASHWAT PRATAP SING said:
why wikipedia says the subatomic particles are not matter ?
It says that matter is not a fundamental concept. It doesn't really matter what you call "matter".
 
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SHASHWAT PRATAP SING said:
electron, proton and neutron have mass and occupy space so they are matter but then why wikipedia says the subatomic particles are not matter ?

How about to call them particles of matter, or matter particles. Quarks and leptons, including electron, are being called like that in standard model. I don't see a reason why other subatomic particles, ie. proton and neutron couldn't be called like that.
https://home.cern/science/physics/standard-model
 
SHASHWAT PRATAP SING said:
But then why wikipedia says-
"matter is not a fundamental concept
Wikipedia says that because the definition of matter is not important. There is nothing in fundamental physics that depends on the distinction between matter and not matter. So who cares where electrons get classified.

Personally, I would classify all fermions as matter, but it is unimportant and it doesn’t make a difference to the physics of someone else disagrees.
 
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