Deep within every atom, protons exist as tiny particles that played a crucial role in the formation of chemical elements. From the intense heat of the big bang to the nuclear reactions in stars, protons determine the identity of elements such as hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and uranium. Accounting for over 86% of visible matter in the universe, protons are fundamental to our existence. However, despite their significance, they remain largely enigmatic.
Over a century ago, Ernest Rutherford revealed that protons are fundamental building blocks of atomic nuclei. Yet, many aspects of these ubiquitous particles remain veiled in mystery despite decades of research and study.
Physicists still grapple with various unanswered questions about protons, ranging from their lifespan to their size and composition. Unraveling these mysteries holds the potential to revolutionize our understanding of not only the particles themselves but also the universe and its governing laws. Presented below are five of the most pressing questions surrounding protons.
1. What are protons made of?
The prevailing belief is that protons consist of three quarks – two up quarks and one down quark – bound together by the strong nuclear force, which also binds atomic nuclei. However, as physicists employed increasingly advanced techniques to study protons at higher resolutions, they discovered a tumultuous quantum-mechanical realm surrounding the three “valence” quarks within the proton. This realm consists of particles that appear and disappear intermittently.
Most of the time, …
