wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

What is the smallest subatomic particle?


Open in App
Solution

Subatomic particle

  1. Particles that are smaller than the size of an atom are called subatomic particles.
  2. Type of subatomic particles : (1) Leptons (2) Quarks
  3. There exist six known quarks and six known leptons.

Quarks, Leptons, and, bosons

1. Quarks: These are elementary subatomic particles that associate with one another via the strong force to make up composite particles such as protons and neutrons. There are six types of quarks, which are :

  1. up
  2. down
  3. charm
  4. strange
  5. top
  6. bottom.

2. Leptons: These are 12 integer spin fundamental particle, that responds only to the gravitational force, weak force, and electromagnetic force. Leptons appear as point-like particles, having no internal structure. There exist six known types of leptons, which are as follows:

  1. electron
  2. electron neutrino
  3. muon
  4. muon neutrino
  5. tau
  6. tau neutrino

3. Bosons: Bosons are those particles that have an integer spin (0, 1, 2…). All the force carrier particles are bosons. These are also known as force particles, as these control the interaction of physical forces, such as electromagnetism, gravity, etc.

Step 3. An illustrative diagram of quarks, leptons, and bosons is shown below.

Hence, leptons and quarks are the smallest subatomic particles.


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
3
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Nucleus - Common Terms
PHYSICS
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon