Physics:Quantum particles/particle

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particle is a Book II topic in the Quantum Collection. A particle is a fundamental entity in physics that carries energy, momentum, and other physical properties. In quantum theory, particles are described as excitations of underlying fields. The quantum idea of a particle is subtler than a tiny classical object. A particle can be a localized excitation of a field, a member of an indistinguishable many-particle state, or a quasiparticle emerging inside matter. Its properties are represented by quantum numbers such as mass, spin, charge, flavor, and statistics. Particles are detected through interactions, not by following classical trajectories.

File:Particle collisions.png
Visualization of particle interactions in a high-energy collision experiment.

Description

Particles can be elementary, such as quarks and leptons, or composite, such as protons and neutrons. Their behavior is governed by quantum mechanics and quantum field theory.

Properties

See also

Table of contents (217 articles)

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References


Author: Harold Foppele


Source attribution: Physics:Quantum particles/particle