Proton

A proton is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of all conventional atoms. A proton is a tiny particle, smaller than an atom, which is very tiny even when viewed with a microscope. The proton has a positive charge, which balances out the negative charge in atoms, electrons. If an atom has an imbalance of protons or neutrons, it is no longer neutral and becomes a charged particle, also known as ion. The number of protons in the atomic nucleus is what determines the atomic number of an element outlined in the periodic table of the elements.

Composition of Proton

Protons make the nucleus, or center, of an atom. The simplest atoms which are the hydrogen atoms have a nucleus made of just one proton. The proton was discovered by Ernest Rutherford in 1918. The proton was long believed to be an elementary particle until the discovery of quarks. Protons are actually made of even smaller invisible particles, called quarks. Each proton has 3 quarks, two up quarks and one down quark. A strong nuclear force sticks the quarks together and the most of the mass of a proton comes from this strong nuclear force.

Properties of Atom

The properties of atoms are defined by the number of electrons, protons and neutrons that are present. The number of protons is the most significant variable though. This variable is so important, that the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is referred to as the atomic number, and atoms are named based on the number of protons that are present. The atomic number is the most physically relevant characteristics of an atom.

Protons are also a favorite among experimental physicists who like to accelerate them to significant factions of light. Ballistic protons are responsible for a lot of discoveries in the huge” Particle Zoo” that 20^th century physicists generated. Unlike their cousins, protons are stable outside of an atomic nucleus, making them useful for the purpose of experimentation and research.         

Antiproton

The antiproton is also sometimes referred to as a negation, is the antiparticiple of the proton. Antiprotons are stable, but they are typically short- lived since any collision with a proton will cause both particles to be annihilated in a burst of energy. An antiproton consists two up antiquark and one down antiquark, which confirms that the properties of the antiproton matches the corresponding properties of the proton with the exception that the antiproton has opposite electric charge and magnetic moment than the proton.

Questions:                          

• What is as Proton?
• What is an Antiproton?