parton
/ˈpɑːrtɒn/
Definition
A collective term for the subatomic constituents of hadrons, specifically referring to quarks and gluons.
Etymology
The term was coined by American physicist Richard Feynman in 1969. It is derived from the word 'part' with the suffix '-on,' reflecting the concept that these entities are the component parts of larger particles.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the fundamental particles trapped within protons and neutrons that are only liberated in the extreme, hot environment of quark-gluon plasma. Understanding these particles helps physicists study the conditions of the universe immediately following the Big Bang.
Earth's largest particle accelerator opens new window into the early universe just after the Big Bang: 'A culmination of a decades-long quest'
Read the full article ↗Space