Are protons are neutrons of the same size? - ProProfs Discuss
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Are protons are neutrons of the same size?

Asked by M. Jabrowsky, Last updated: Oct 21, 2024

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2 Answers

J. Rogers

J. Rogers

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J. Rogers
J. Rogers, Rosshazlewood, MA, Birmingham

Answered Sep 30, 2019

Protons and electrons are exactly the same sizes, but aside from this, they both have a different charge. A proton is positively-charged while an electron is negatively charged. They are both tiny particles that can be found in an atom together with neutrons that do not come with any charge.

Opposites are known to attract each other, so it is normal for protons and electrons to be drawn towards each other. The protons stay inside the nucleus while the electrons orbit the nucleus. Electrons with weaker energies will probably be nearer the protons as compared to the electrons with higher energies that will be in farther orbits from the nucleus of the atom.

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O. Bickis

O. Bickis

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O. Bickis
O. Bickis, Corporate employee, MBA, Stockton

Answered Jan 24, 2019

Yes. Think of protons and neutrons as each being made up of three quarks. As far as we can tell, quarks, like electrons, are point particles -- they don't have any size at all. The quarks in each are held together by the strong force, which acts a lot like rubber bands connecting them together.

Yes. Think of protons and neutrons as each being made up of three quarks. As far as we can tell,

They constantly bounce around, sometimes closer, sometimes further, but maintaining an average radius of around 1 fm (one femtometer, or 10^-25 meters) for both the neutron and proton. Unfortunately, that model fails outrageously if you look at neutrons/protons at all closely. This is because in quantum mechanics, the quarks don't occupy a particular point in space, but are spread over an area.

Yes. Think of protons and neutrons as each being made up of three quarks. As far as we can tell,

Also, thanks to e=mc^2, the strong force, referring to the rubber bands, actually manifests itself as an ever-changing cloud of "virtual" gluons, quarks, and antiquarks surrounding the three "real" quarks. So, protons and neutrons are in the the atom’s center, making up the nucleus. The charge on the proton and electron are exactly the same size but opposite.

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