proton

/proton/

Thân thiện

A scientist points to a diagram of a proton in a textbook.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stable subatomic particle with a positive electric charge: A proton is a fundamental particle found in the nucleus of every atom. Its positive charge is equal in magnitude to the negative charge of an electron.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • A hydrogen atom consists of one proton and one electron.
  • The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines its atomic number.
  • In particle physics, protons are considered baryons, composed of quarks.

Advanced Usage

• "Proton donor": In chemistry, a substance (like an acid) that provides or donates a proton (H⁺ ion) in a reaction.
  • In the Brønsted-Lowry theory, an acid is defined as a proton donor.
• "Proton pump": A specialized protein in cell membranes that moves protons across the membrane.
  • Proton pumps are essential for creating the energy needed in cellular respiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Protonic (adj): Relating to or involving protons.
  • Protonic conductivity is a key property in some fuel cells.
• Protonate (verb): To add a proton to an atom, ion, or molecule.
  • The base will protonate the acid, forming a conjugate acid.

Synonyms

• H⁺ (Hydrogen ion): In aqueous chemistry, a proton is often equivalent to a hydrogen ion, though this is a simplification.
• Nucleon: A collective term for protons and neutrons, the particles in an atomic nucleus.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Proton number: Another term for atomic number (the number of protons in a nucleus).
• Proton beam: A stream of protons accelerated in a particle accelerator, used in research and medicine.
• Proton motive force: In biology, the energy gradient created by proton differences across a membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a stable particle with positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron