What is the smallest subatomic particle?

Answer by  Anonymous

After attaining several doctorates in this field, and studying this subject extenively, I have come to the conclusion that either the neutrino or the quark is the smallest known.This topic is under much debate and honestly I believe there is no smallest subatomic particle because you can ust keep dividing.

Answer by  mooly398 (140)

Of the three basic components of the atom - the proton, neutron, and electron - the electron is the smallest. However, some subatomic particles are made up of even smaller particles. The quark is the building block of other subatomic particles called hadrons (which include protons and neutrons) and is even smaller than the electron.

Answer by  idiotjones (705)

This is theoretical and debatable. The traditional model states that atom can be broken down into protons, neutrons, and electrons. Additional subatomic particles have been discovered. The smallest has been named "Particle X". It is associated with decay of Sigma-plus hyperon and light Higgs boson. These are empirically unconfirmed and are considered elementary articles defined by spins.

Answer by  A3JQV3WPFGSULE (191)

There are three types of subatomic particles; protons, neutrons and electrons. The electron is the smallest of the three particles.

Answer by  eiryck (847)

Of the two categories of subatomic particles that compose the nucleus and the atoms, the elementary particles are considered as the smallestas they are not made of other particles unlike its counterpart the composite, which is an aggregation or bound states of elementary particles.

Answer by  ALR27 (36)

This is continuously under debate, as it's related to quantum physics and string theory. Some say the quark, while others argue that as neither the quark nor electron have mass there is no way to definitely say which is smaller. There are also photons and 'strings' to consider.

Answer by  Meredith92 (158)

The smallest subatomic particle is called a quark. A quark makes up the protons and neutrons that are found in the nucleus of an atom. There are a total of 6 types of quarks.

Answer by  RRGKK (412)

The electron in most contexts would be the smallest, however photons are even smaller. They result when an atom interacts with another atom, such as in production of x-rays.

Answer by  Anonymous

That one by anonymous is totally right.