Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: trevorjohnson32 on 14/05/2017 16:55:43

Title: What is the smallest particle of matter? neutrons and protons or quarks?
Post by: trevorjohnson32 on 14/05/2017 16:55:43

Any opinions? Mine is that neutron stars  which nearly resemble black holes spin at near light speed, there couldn't be any more room for space-time to exist between the quark arrangement as that would imply more space could be taken out and that space time could allow for speeds greater then that of light which is impossible.

Title: Re: What is the smallest particle of matter? neutrons and protons or quarks?
Post by: Kryptid on 14/05/2017 17:35:23

Quarks are more fundamental than protons or neutrons, but "size" isn't well-defined for subatomic particles. They have associated wavelengths, but you can't think of them as tiny, solid spheres with a hard radius.

Title: Re: What is the smallest particle of matter? neutrons and protons or quarks?
Post by: trevorjohnson32 on 14/05/2017 19:10:51

Quote from: Kryptid on 14/05/2017 17:35:23

Quarks are more fundamental than protons or neutrons, but "size" isn't well-defined for subatomic particles. They have associated wavelengths, but you can't think of them as tiny, solid spheres with a hard radius.

Would three quarks in a proton occupy all the space inside the proton?

Title: Re: What is the smallest particle of matter? neutrons and protons or quarks?
Post by: evan_au on 14/05/2017 22:47:13

In the macroscopic universe, we usually think of physically larger things having more mass - and generally being more durable.

But in the quantum world, the highest energy particles have the shortest wavelength, and often the shortest lifetime.

If you are looking for "small" particles, neutrinos have a very small area in terms of their probability of interacting with other particles.