Lepton

Elementary particle that doesn't experience strong interaction.

elementary particles leptons

In particle physics, a lepton is an elementary subatomic particle that does not undergo strong interaction.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɛptɒn/

Etymology

The term 'lepton' comes from the Greek word 'leptos,' meaning 'small' or 'lightweight.'

Explain Like I’m 5

Leptons are tiny particles, like electrons and muons, that don't stick to other particles through the strong force - they’re like tiny loners in the world of atoms.

Fun Facts

Neutrinos are incredibly abundant - trillions pass through you every second
Some leptons, like the muon, were predicted mathematically before they were observed experimentally
Leptons are classified into two groups: charged leptons and neutrinos

FAQ

What are leptons? Leptons are fundamental particles that do not experience the strong force
What types of leptons exist? There are six leptons: electron, muon, tau, and their corresponding neutrinos
Are leptons part of atoms? Yes, electrons are found in atoms

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

elementary particle fermion

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

electron muon tau neutrino

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

Standard Model

Indexes

elementary particle physics

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