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Proton
In physics, a positively charged subatomic particle, a constituent of the nucleus of all atoms. It carries a unit positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron. Its mass is almost 1,836 times that of an electron, or 1.673 × 10-24 g. The number of protons in the atom of an element is equal to the atomic number of that element. The diameter of the proton is approximately 1.6 × 10-15 m.
A proton belongs to the baryon group of hadrons and is composed of two up quarks and one down quark. A proton is extremely long-lived, with a lifespan of at least 1032 years.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
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