nucleons
Protons and neutrons
Nucleons are the particles that make up an atomic nucleus—protons and neutrons.
The term groups these two particle types together because they behave similarly within the nucleus despite their different charges.
The number of nucleons in an atom equals its mass number: Carbon-12 has twelve nucleons—six protons and six neutrons.
Fundamental hadron components
- gluonsStrong force exchange particles
- strong forceSubatomic binding interaction
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- massQuantity of matter
Three-quark subatomic particles
- hadronsQuark-containing composite particles
- fermionsHalf-spin matter constituents
- protonPositive nuclear particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
antiproton · antineutron · resonances · particle physics · CERN · LHC · scattering · cross-section
Unexplained literal values in code
- pairingJoining two together
- saturationState of complete permeation
Ultradense stellar remnant
- supernovaExploding massive star
- pulsarMagnetized rotating neutron emitter
- core collapseStar's center caves inward
- magnetarNeutron star, intense field
quarks
Fundamental hadron components
- gluonsStrong force exchange particles
- strong forceSubatomic binding interaction
- spinRapid rotation around axis
baryons
Three-quark subatomic particles
- hadronsQuark-containing composite particles
- fermionsHalf-spin matter constituents
- protonPositive nuclear particle
neutron · antiproton · antineutron · resonances · particle physics · CERN · LHC · scattering · cross-section
magic numbers
Unexplained literal values in code
- pairingJoining two together
- saturationState of complete permeation
neutron star
Ultradense stellar remnant
- supernovaExploding massive star
- pulsarMagnetized rotating neutron emitter
- core collapseStar's center caves inward