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 of proton

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

OTHER WORDS FROM proton

pro·ton·ic, adjective

Words nearby proton

protolanguage, protolithic, protolog, protomartyr, protomorphic, proton, proton microscope, proton number, proton synchrotron, proton-proton chain, proton-pump inhibitor

Example sentences from the Web for protonic

  • Arcot threw out his protonic shield, and retreated to half a million miles, as he had said.

    Invaders from the Infinite |John Wood Campbell

  • Then it was over, and the skies were clear once more as Arcot lowered the protonic screen silently.

    Invaders from the Infinite |John Wood Campbell

  • And the six smaller machines, which Arcot had succeeded in interconnecting with the protonic generator, were whining too.

    Invaders from the Infinite |John Wood Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for protonic (1 of 2)

protonic
/ (prəʊˈtɒnɪk) /

adjective

chem (of a solvent, such as water) able to donate hydrogen ions to solute molecules

British Dictionary definitions for protonic (2 of 2)

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 for proton

C20: from Greek prōtos first

Medical definitions for protonic

proton
[ prō′tŏn′ ]

n.

A stable, positively charged subatomic particle in the baryon family having a mass 1,836 times that of the electron.

Scientific definitions for protonic

proton
[ prō′tŏn′ ]

A stable subatomic particle in the baryon family having a mass of 1.672 X 10-24 grams (1,836 times that of the electron) and a positive electric charge of approximately 1.602 X 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.

Cultural definitions for protonic

proton
[ (proh-ton) ]

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

notes for proton

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

notes for proton

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