quark
Physics. any of the hypothetical particles with spin 1/2, baryon number 1/3, and electric charge 1/3 or −2/3 that, together with their antiparticles, are believed to constitute all the elementary particles classed as baryons and mesons; they are distinguished by their flavors, designated as up (u), down (d), strange (s), charm (c), bottom or beauty (b), and top or truth (t), and their colors, red, green, and blue.: Compare color (def. 18), flavor (def. 5), quantum chromodynamics, quark model.
Origin of quark
1Words that may be confused with quark
- quark , quirk
Words Nearby quark
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use quark in a sentence
In this process, the quark turns into an anti-quark and the anti-quark turns into a quark.
CERN: How We’re Probing the Universe’s Origins Using Record Precision Measurements | Martha Hilton | June 24, 2021 | Singularity HubThis unique trait has led scientists to believe that some extreme physics might take place in their innards — perhaps even the dissolution of neutrons themselves into a softer goo known as quark matter.
Squishy Neutron Star Setback Dampens Hopes of Exotic Matter | Jonathan O'Callaghan | May 26, 2021 | Quanta MagazineFor example, particles known as quarks — usually contained within protons and neutrons — may roam freely in a neutron star’s center.
Neutron stars may not be as squishy as some scientists thought | Emily Conover | April 20, 2021 | Science NewsFor example, if quarks are free agents within the most massive neutron stars, the immense pressure will compress the neutron star’s core more than if quarks remain within neutrons.
Neutron stars may not be as squishy as some scientists thought | Emily Conover | April 20, 2021 | Science NewsMashed together in different combinations, quarks make up a variety of larger particles, including protons and neutrons.
How matter’s hidden complexity unleashed the power of nuclear physics | Emily Conover | April 8, 2021 | Science News
Jemmy quark left him, and, rushing to the town, cried out that something horrible had washed ashore.
She's All the World to Me | Hall CaineThere was now a sublime scorn printed on the features of Jemmy quark.
She's All the World to Me | Hall Caine
British Dictionary definitions for quark (1 of 2)
/ (kwɑːk) /
physics any of a set of six hypothetical elementary particles together with their antiparticles thought to be fundamental units of all baryons and mesons but unable to exist in isolation. The magnitude of their charge is either two thirds or one third of that of the electron
Origin of quark
1British Dictionary definitions for quark (2 of 2)
/ (kwɑːk) /
a type of low-fat soft cheese
Origin of quark
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for quark
[ kwôrk, kwärk ]
Any of a group of elementary particles supposed to be the fundamental units that combine to make up the subatomic particles known as hadrons (baryons, such as neutrons and protons, and mesons). There are six different flavors (or types) of quark: up quark, down quark, top quark, bottom quark, charm quark, and strange quark. Quarks have fractional electric charges, such as 13 the charge of an electron. See Note at elementary particle. See Table at subatomic particle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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