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Consider the following: 1. Electron 2. Proton 3. Neutron Which of the above are baryons ?
Explanation
In particle physics, subatomic particles are classified based on their composition and properties. Baryons are a type of hadron composed of three quarks [t1][t5]. Protons and neutrons are the most common examples of baryons; a proton consists of two up quarks and one down quark (uud), while a neutron consists of one up quark and two down quarks (udd) [t1][t8]. Both carry a baryon number of +1 [t2]. In contrast, the electron is classified as a lepton, which is a fundamental particle not composed of quarks [t2][t5]. Leptons are subject to the weak nuclear force but not the strong nuclear force, whereas baryons interact via the strong force to form atomic nuclei [t3][t7]. Therefore, only the proton and neutron are baryons, while the electron is a lepton [t9].
Sources
- [1] https://www.energy.gov/science/np/articles/understand-special-hadron-researchers-turn-supercomputers-and-quantum