Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
baryon
noun
ˈber-ē-ən
Definition
A baryon is a type of subatomic particle that is made up of three quarks and is held together by the strong force.
Examples
- The proton is a baryon that carries a positive charge.
- Neutrons, another type of baryon, carry no electric charge.
- All baryons are heavier than their counterparts, mesons, due to their composition of three quarks.
Meaning
In particle physics, baryons are a category of particles that include protons and neutrons, which make up the nuclei of atoms.
Synonyms
- nucleon
- quark triplet
- strongly interacting particle
