Atoms: Protons, Neutrons, & Other Particles?

AI Thread Summary
Atoms are primarily composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, but there are also exotic particles like leptons and hadrons. These exotic particles are produced when normal particles collide at high energies, such as in experiments conducted at CERN and Fermilab. The energy from these collisions can create new particles by converting energy into mass. While traditional atomic structure focuses on protons, neutrons, and electrons, the existence of exotic atoms expands the understanding of particle physics. This highlights the complexity of atomic composition beyond the basic model typically taught.
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Just one quick question I couldn't find an answer on the internet to, after a long search.
We are taught that atoms are made from protons, neutrons and electrons only. There are many other leptons and hadrons existing, but where are they in this story?
 
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Okay, so in a usual atom, only protons, electrons and neutrons exist. But how are those exotics produced?
 
You smack "normal" particles together with high energies at places like CERN and Fermilab. Some of the energy creates the masses of the "new" particles.
 
Okay, thanks.
 

Thread 'Need help understanding particle physics and quantum physics'

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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