Particle Physics

Ideas and treatment borrowed from:    

The Particle Adventure:  www.cpepweb.org - go check it out - NOW !!!

Particles that cannot be split up into anything smaller are described as being .  They are said to have no .

The aim of particle physics is to discover the particles that all matter is made of.  Atoms were once thought of as being made up of just three particles.  This is described as the Rutherford Model.  

Rutherford Model

The Rutherford model describes the atom as being made of just three particles:

Particle Charge Mass Position
1/1800 cloud - in orbit
+1 in nucleus
about 1 in nucleus

More Structure

Electrons are thought to have no structure - they are said to be fundamental

Protons and neutrons are thought to be made of more particles called .  Scientists are uncertain whether these particles have structure.  as far as we know they are fundamental

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