Smallest particles in matter

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Atoms and Subatomic Particles: The Smallest Particles in Matter

The search for the smallest particles in matter has evolved over centuries. Early thinkers like Democritus and Dalton described atoms as the smallest indivisible units of matter, each with unique properties for different elements . However, modern science has shown that atoms themselves are made up of even smaller particles: electrons, protons, and neutrons 12.

Beyond Atoms: Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons

Atoms consist of a nucleus (made of protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons. These subatomic particles are much smaller than the atom itself. The electron is a fundamental particle, while protons and neutrons are made up of even smaller particles called quarks 127.

The Role of Particle Physics in Identifying Fundamental Particles

Particle physics is the field that studies the smallest known building blocks of matter and the forces that act between them. It focuses on particles like quarks, electrons, and neutrinos, which are considered fundamental because they are not known to be made of anything smaller 57. These particles are often described as "point-like," meaning they have no known internal structure or size .

Theoretical Limits: Hypothetical Smallest Particles

Some theories propose the existence of even smaller or more fundamental particles. For example, the "oscillon" is a hypothetical particle described as the simplest possible system, but this idea remains speculative and is not part of mainstream physics . Other models, like the ZA model, suggest a smallest matter particle called ZA1, but these are also theoretical and not widely accepted .

Smallest Particles in the Universe: Dark Matter Candidates

In cosmology, the smallest clumps of matter may be made of dark matter particles, such as weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). The size and mass of these particles set a lower limit on the smallest structures that can form in the universe, but the particles themselves are still larger than the fundamental particles studied in particle physics 810.

Conclusion

In summary, the smallest particles in matter that are currently known and confirmed by experiments are the fundamental particles studied in particle physics, such as quarks and electrons. Atoms are not the smallest units, as they are made of subatomic particles, and those, in turn, may be made of even smaller components according to some theories. However, as of now, quarks and electrons are considered the smallest known building blocks of matter 1257.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Atoms, Ions, Electrons, Atomic Nuclei, Photons

The atom is the smallest particle of matter, composed of electrons, ions, and nuclei, and is crucial for understanding its properties and behavior.

1964·

0citations

·W. Finkelnburg

The Influence of Atomic Physics on my Paintings

Atomic physics has influenced my paintings by revealing the smallest measurable entities of matter, the nucleus, and its role in the structure of matter.

1973·

6citations

·B. Brendel

On the nature of "stuff" and the hierarchy of forces

The proton is the smallest stable particle, as it is the smallest particle with comparable internal kinetic energy and total energy, making it a light-speed circulation of energy.

2015·

5citations

·M. Mark

THEORY OF MOTION: THE OSCILLON HYPOTHESIS

The oscillon hypothesis suggests that the smallest, simplest particle is a system of two points, one constant and the other moving, with the ability to self-measure distance, angle, direction, and period in a three-dimensional frame of reference.

2022·

0citations

·James C. Decandole et al.

Particle Physics

Particle physics studies the nature of matter and radiation's smallest particles and their fundamental interactions, focusing on fundamental interactions and their behavior.

Highly Cited

2009·

99citations

On the packing and crushing of granular materials

The smallest particles in a granular material determine the overall density and void space, with their size varying across different particle sizes and packing methods.

2020·

22citations

·J. D. de Bono et al.

Introduction

Particle physics is the most elementary field of science, studying the smallest known structures that constitute all observable matter and give rise to the forces between them.

2021·

0citations

·T. Quast

Particle models and the small-scale structure of dark matter

The kinetic decoupling of weakly interacting massive particles in the early universe set a scale for determining the small-scale cutoff in matter density fluctuations, providing a new window into the particle nature of dark matter.

Highly Cited

2009·

218citations

·T. Bringmann

ZA models of neutron and proton in scale electric field originated by the Planck particle

The ZA matter model explains that matter has the instinct property of electricity, with a smallest matter particle called ZA1 and two parts: one (a scale electric field) is electric pure mass coming from motion energy of photons, and the other (the overlapped gravity field) coming from potential energy of bent space.

2023·

0citations

·B. Y. Zong

Small-scale power spectrum of cold dark matter

The small-scale power spectrum of cold dark matter is supplemented by acoustic oscillations, which may be detectable through gamma-ray production from particle annihilation, fluctuations in the event rate of direct detection experiments, or their tidal gravitational effect on wide orbits

Highly Cited

2005·

190citations

·A. Loeb et al.

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