The isotope lead-208 was predicted to be extremely stable and perfectly spherical because of the “magic” numbers of electrons and protons orbiting its nucleus. When researchers blasted lead-208 with ...

The Nobel-Prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs has died at age 94. He was celebrated for his work on the mass of subatomic particles. Today the University of Edinburgh announced the death of the Nobel ...

Protons are tiny particles just a femtometer across, but without them, atoms wouldn't exist. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. To mark our 150th year, we’re revisiting the Popular Science ...

What is everything made of? It’s the fundamental question that lies at the heart of particle physics. Today, scientists are using gigantic, atom-smashing particle accelerators to probe deeper into the ...

A team of researchers are using the Frontera supercomputer at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) to crack open the proton, a fundamental building block of the atomic nucleus that is used, ...

Electrons are proficient little magicians. They seem to flit about an atom without tracing a particular path, they frequently appear to be in two places at once, and their behavior in silicon ...