nucleon

noun

nu·​cle·​on ˈnü-klē-ˌän 

ˈnyü-

1

: a proton or neutron especially in the atomic nucleus

2

: a hypothetical single entity with one-half unit of isospin that can manifest itself as either a proton or a neutron

nucleonic

ˌnü-klē-ˈä-nik 

ˌnyü-

adjective

Examples of nucleon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s made up of a central nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons, called nucleons, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus. —Artemis Spyrou, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

This residual intranuclear binding force is much weaker than the strong force inside the nucleon. —Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Beyond that, effective quantum equations, built with elementary degrees of freedom among nucleons and QCD-consistent potentials, are used to explain and explore the properties of light nuclei up to A = 14. —Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Like electrons, nucleons occupy shells, and these magic numbers represent the tallies needed to fill nucleonic shells completely. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

But the theory of the strong force was not developed to explain how nucleons stick together. —WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023

The Strong Nuclear Force Atomic nucleons—protons and neutrons—are held together by the strong force. —WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023

Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges—the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions. —WIRED, 10 Aug. 2023

Instead, at these scales, a new effective force emerges — the strong nuclear force, transmitted between nucleons by the exchange of pions. —Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

nucleon

noun

nu·​cle·​on ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌän 

: a nuclear particle:

a

: proton

b

: neutron

nucleonic

ˌn(y)ü-klē-ˈän-ik 

adjective