ScienceAugust 16, 2026

hadrons

HAD-ronz

Definition

A category of subatomic particles that are composed of quarks held together by the strong nuclear force, which includes protons, neutrons, and mesons like kaons.

Etymology

The term was coined in 1962 by physicist Lev Okun, derived from the Greek word 'hadros' meaning 'stout' or 'thick', to describe these relatively heavy particles.

In the news

The article classifies kaons as a specific type of meson, noting that they belong to the broader family of particles known as hadrons.

Something Weird Happened That We Can’t Really Explain With Existing Physics

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