Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

pion

noun

/ˈpaɪɒn/

Definition

A pion is a type of elementary particle in physics, which plays a key role in mediating the strong nuclear force between nucleons (protons and neutrons) in atomic nuclei.

Examples

The pion is one of the lightest mesons.
In particle physics experiments, pions are often produced in high-energy collisions.
Experiments at particle accelerators help scientists study the properties of pions.

Meaning

Pions are mesons, meaning they are composed of a quark and an antiquark. They are essential for understanding how particles like protons and neutrons interact within an atom’s nucleus.