In earlier grades you saw that matter is made of atoms, and that atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. For most of a century, those three looked like the bottom of the ladder. They are not.
When physicists probe a proton, they find it is not a single solid speck. The proton has smaller particles inside it. The neutron is the same story.
So protons and neutrons are not the smallest pieces of matter. The quarks inside them are smaller still.
A helium nucleus contains two protons and two neutrons. Is the proton the smallest piece of matter in it?
Each proton is made of three quarks, and each neutron is made of three quarks.
No. The quarks inside the protons and neutrons are smaller than the protons and neutrons themselves.
Which particles are made of quarks?
How many quarks does a neutron contain? Enter the number.
Mia says the proton is the smallest piece of matter. Is Mia correct?
A carbon nucleus holds 6 protons and 6 neutrons. Which statement about the particles inside it is correct?
Which of the following is smaller than a proton?
A student says: 'Protons, neutrons, and electrons are the smallest pieces of matter.' Which statement shows the claim is wrong?