proton

[proh-ton] /ˈproʊ tɒn/

noun, Physics, Chemistry

a positively charged elementary particle that is a fundamental constituent of all atomic nuclei. It is the lightest and most stable baryon, having a charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron, a spin of ½, and a mass of 1.673 × 10− ²⁷ kg. Symbol: P.

Origin

1915-20; noun use of Greek prôton, neuter of prôtos first

Related forms

protonic, adjective

Examples from the web for proton

The pull appeared as strong as an electron toward a proton.
Because the quarks and gluons within a proton are constantly interacting, a proton-proton collision is an inherently messy affair.
For example, a proton has a positive electric charge, but an antiproton has a negative electric charge.
The molecules are composed of atoms, which in turn are composed of electrons and clusters of proton particles.
Thus, people with comparatively lesser neutrons in their body composition exhibit the effect of dominant proton.
proton-pump or acid-pump inhibitors are probably the best drug treatments for reflux symptoms related to scleroderma.
It is usually combined with medications, such as epinephrine and intravenous proton pump inhibitors.
proton therapy is another kind of radiation used to treat prostate cancer.
Long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors may reduce the duration of treatments.
The researchers think these may be able to work as proton-exchange membranes in their own right.

British Dictionary definitions for proton

proton

/ˈprəʊtɒn/

noun

a stable, positively charged elementary particle, found in atomic nuclei in numbers equal to the atomic number of the element. It is a baryon with a charge of 1.602176462 × 10–19 coulomb, a rest mass of 1.672 62159 × 10–27 kilogram, and spin 1/2

Word Origin

C20: from Greek prōtos first

Word Origin and History for proton

1920 in physics, coined by English physicist Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) from noun use of Greek proton, neuter of protos "first" (see proto-), on analogy of electron; supposedly because hydrogen was hypothesized as a constituent of all the elements. The word was used earlier in embryology (1893) as a translation of German anlage ("fundamental thing") based on Aristotle's phrase he prote ousia to proton.

proton in Medicine

proton pro·ton (prō'tŏn')
n.
A stable, positively charged subatomic particle in the baryon family having a mass 1,836 times that of the electron.

proton in Science

proton

(prō'tŏn')
A stable subatomic particle in the baryon family having a mass of 1.672 × 10^-24 grams (1,836 times that of the electron) and a positive electric charge of approximately 1.602 × 10^-19 coulombs. Protons make up part of the nucleus of all atoms except hydrogen, whose nucleus consists of a single proton. In neutral atoms, the number of protons is the same as the number of electrons. In positively charged atoms, the number of protons is greater than the number of electrons, and in negatively charged atoms electrons outnumber protons. Protons are believed to be composed of two up quarks and one down quark. See Table at subatomic particle.

proton in Culture

proton [(proh-ton)]

An elementary particle with a positive charge, found in the nucleus of an atom.

Note: A proton is over a thousand times heavier than an electron.

Note: Protons and neutrons make up most of an atom's mass.

proton in Technology

1. A home computer made by Acorn Computers under a contract won from the BBC in April 1981.
[Details?]
2. Something to do with Microsoft SoftLib?
(1994-11-28)