Definition: A baryon is a category of subatomic particles made up of three quarks. Baryons, including protons and neutrons, are among the constituents of the nuclei of atoms. They are characterized by being fermions, particles that follow Fermi-Dirac statistics, and by participating in the strong interaction, one of the four fundamental forces in physics.
Etymology & Origin: The term “baryon” comes from the Greek word “βαρύς” (barys), meaning “heavy,” reflecting the fact that baryons were historically considered to be particles with greater mass than other particle types. The suffix “-on” is commonly used in the names of subatomic particles (like proton, neutron, electron), indicating an entity or a particle. The term was coined in the 20th century as physicists developed the standard model of particle physics.
Examples:
- Protons and neutrons, found in the nucleus of an atom, are the most well-known baryons.
- The baryon family also includes particles such as the Delta baryons, Lambda baryons, and Sigma baryons, which are seen in high-energy physics experiments but are not stable in ordinary matter.
