Quark structure of the uranium nucleus. Computer visualisation of the nucleus of a uranium atom. The most common isotope, uranium-238, consists of 92

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Quark structure of the uranium nucleus. Computer visualisation of the nucleus of a uranium atom. The most common isotope, uranium-238, consists of 92 protons and 146 neutrons. These are represented as triplets of quarks surrounded by quantum clouds of gluons. Protons have two \up\" quarks (green) and one \"down\" quark (pink); neutrons have one \"up\" and two \"down\". The clouds of virtual gluons are responsible for mediating the strong nuclear force; this holds the quarks together within the particles and also overcomes the electrical repulsion between adjacent protons."

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Size: 3814px × 4606px
Photo credit: © ARSCIMED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: atom, atomic, chemical, chemistry, element, neutron, nuclear, nucleon, nucleus, particle, particles, physics, proton, quar, quark, structure, subatomic, uranium