The subatomic particles they are those that are smaller than the atom. There are composite particles and elementary particles; On the other hand, the existence of virtual particles is also known.
Virtual particles are those that represent the average step to the disintegration of an unstable particle and exist for a very short time.
In the field of physics, there is a division responsible for the study of these subatomic particles such as nuclear physics and particle physics.
In the case of elementary particles, most of them are not found in the earth under normal conditions, since many are unstable and tend to decompose rapidly.
What is the atom?
The simplest way to define the atom is as the smallest particle in which a chemical element can be divided, without losing its chemical properties.
At present it is known that there are particles much smaller than the atom and that is where the subatomic particles enter.
What are the subatomic particles?
These particles are divided into elementary particles and composite particles. Many of them are characterized by being stable or unstable, but all have in common the fact that they occur at random, thanks to the action of the clash of cosmic rays with the atoms of the atmosphere. The most common particles and those found lately are:
Proton
The proton can be defined as a subatomic particle that is inside the atomic nucleus and that consists of positive electric charge (+1 or 1.602 x 10 -19 Coulombs).
Although it is a stable particle, there are rare types of proton disintegration, which generates the emission of free protons.
Neutron
The neutron can be defined as a subatomic particle that is found inside the atomic nucleus and that consists of a neutral electrical charge.
Many claim that the neutron does not possess any type of charge, but actually consists of three fundamental particles known as quark.
Electron
The neutron can be defined as a subatomic particle that is inside the atomic nucleus and that consists of negative electric charge.
Electrons can be found not only in the nucleus of an atom, but also in the free state. Thanks to the movement of electrons there is an electric current, which generates the energy necessary to turn on the electronic devices that we currently use.
Quark
Quarks are defined as elementary particles that interact generating nuclear matter and hadrons. Several types of quarks can be combined to create particles such as neutrons and protons.
These subatomic particles are the only ones capable of interacting in such a way that they end up creating other types of particles. They can reach electromagnetic, gravitational and nuclear interactions.
Are there other types of subatomic particles?
Protons, neutrons, electrons and quarks are not the only subatomic particles found today.
It is known of the existence of many other elementary and compound particles that despite their instability, are of great renown in the world of physics and very studied.
Some of them are the bosons, the leptons, the hadrons, the neutrinos, the inn, among others.
References
- Atom Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Characteristics of sub-atomic particles. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from Entelki: entelki.com
- Subatomic Particle. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from Encyclopædia Britannica: britannica.com.
- Subatomic Particle. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Subatomic Particles. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from Encyclopedia: encyclopedia.com
- Subatomic Particles. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from the NDT Resource Center: nde-ed.org.