Subatomic

Relating to or existing within the atom. subatomic particles are the fundamental constituents of matter, smaller than an atom and responsible for its properties and behavior. These particles include electrons, protons, and neutrons, as well as more exotic particles like quarks, leptons, and bosons. The study of subatomic particles and their interactions is the domain of particle physics or high-energy physics, exploring the very fabric of reality and the forces that govern the universe at its smallest scales. Understanding subatomic phenomena is crucial for advancements in fields ranging from medicine to materials science.

Subatomic meaning with examples

• The electron, a subatomic particle with a negative charge, orbits the nucleus and determines the chemical properties of an atom, such as the valence electrons and the type of chemical bonds it can form with other atoms or molecules.
• Protons and neutrons, the two types of subatomic particles found in the nucleus, account for most of an atom's mass and determine its atomic number, which is the number of protons in the nucleus.
• The Large Hadron Collider is used to accelerate subatomic particles to near light speed and collide them, allowing scientists to study the resulting debris and learn about the fundamental forces of nature.
• Quantum mechanics provides the theoretical framework for understanding the behavior of subatomic particles, explaining phenomena like wave-particle duality and quantum entanglement with complex math.