Fundamental Particle

Subatomic constituents of matter.

Fundamental particles are subatomic constituents of matter that are not themselves composed of smaller particles.

Pronunciation

/ˌfʌndəˈmentəl ˈpɑːrtɪkl/

Etymology

Derived from the concept of a foundational or irreducible element in physics.

Explain Like I’m 5

Everything around us is made of tiny building blocks called fundamental particles, like electrons and quarks, which scientists haven't found anything smaller than.

Fun Facts

There are six types of quarks: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom
Electrons were first discovered in 1897 by J
J
Thomson
Neutrinos are so tiny that they can pass through the Earth without interacting with matter

FAQ

What are fundamental particles? They are the smallest known constituents of matter that aren't made up of smaller parts
Are they found in atoms? Yes, fundamental particles like electrons are part of atoms
What is the Standard Model? It's a theory that describes the known fundamental particles and forces

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

elementary particles

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

particle

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

quark lepton boson

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

matter atom

Indexes

elementary particle physics

Built by Tim Jones