Composite particles consist of smaller particles, such as protons and neutrons, which are made up of quarks and gluons. Quarks are fundamental constituents of matter that combine to form these composite particles. For a deeper understanding, resources like Wikipedia and Particle Adventure can provide simplified explanations of quarks and the Standard Model of particle physics. Engaging with these materials can help clarify the concepts surrounding composite particles. Understanding these basics is essential for grasping more complex topics in physics.