noun
parton
noun
1
In particle physics, any of the fundamental particles, such as quarks and gluons, that make up larger particles like protons and neutrons.
"High-energy collisions let physicists probe the individual partons inside a proton."
"The model treats the proton as a cloud of interacting partons."
How to Use Parton
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA physics term for the tiny building blocks, like quarks and gluons, found inside particles such as protons.
When to use it
A technical term used almost exclusively in particle physics.
Word Forms
partons plural, Partons plural
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High-energy collisions let physicists probe the individual _____ inside a proton.
Etymology
Coined in 1969 by physicist Richard Feynman, combining "part" with the particle-naming suffix "-on."