If not, even greater excitement will ensue. Scientists at the Fermilab looked for the top quark by smashing a rotating beam of protons into a countrerrotating beam of antiprotons. The energy released in the collision causes the spontaneous creation of other particles, including the top quark. The top quark is unstable and decays into other particles in a fraction of a second. Scientists record and analyze the pattern of particles emerging from the collision for the evidence of the existence of the top quark.
Protons have two ups, and neutrons have one.
Protons have one down, and neutrons have two. Time Inc. All rights reserved.