Common Elementary Particles
Several estimates imply that practically all the matter, when measured by mass, in the visible universe (not including dark matter) is in the protons of hydrogen atoms, and that roughly 1080 protons exist in the visible universe (Eddington number), and roughly 1080 atoms exist in the visible universe. Each proton is, in turn, composed of 3 elementary particles: two up quarks and one down quark. Neutrons and other particles heavier than protons, as well as helium and other atoms with more than one proton, are so rare that their total mass in the visible universe is much less than the total mass of protons in hydrogen atoms. Lighter particles of matter, although equal (electrons) or vastly more (neutrinos) numerous than protons, are so much lighter than protons, that their total mass in the visible universe is again much less than the total mass of all protons.
Some estimates imply that practically all the matter, when measured by numbers of particles, in the visible universe (not including dark matter) is in the form of neutrinos, and that roughly 1086 elementary particles of matter exist in the visible universe, mostly neutrinos. Some estimates imply that roughly 1097 elementary particles exist in the visible universe (not including dark matter), mostly photons, gravitons, and other massless force carriers.
Read more about this topic: Elementary Particle
Famous quotes containing the words elementary particles, common, elementary and/or particles:
“Listen. We converse as we live—by repeating, by combining and recombining a few elements over and over again just as nature does when of elementary particles it builds a world.”
—William Gass (b. 1924)
“Why does not the kitten betray some of the attributes common to the adult puss? A puppy is but a dog, plus high spirits, and minus common sense. We never hear our friends say they love puppies, but cannot bear dogs. A kitten is a thing apart; and many people who lack the discriminating enthusiasm for cats, who regard these beautiful beasts with aversion and mistrust, are won over easily, and cajoled out of their prejudices, by the deceitful wiles of kittenhood.”
—Agnes Repplier (1858–1950)
“If men as individuals surrender to the call of their elementary instincts, avoiding pain and seeking satisfaction only for their own selves, the result for them all taken together must be a state of insecurity, of fear, and of promiscuous misery.”
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
“The atoms of Democritus
And Newton’s particles of light
Are sands upon the Red Sea shore,
Where Israel’s tents do shine so bright.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)