Particle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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particle
[ˈpɑːrtɪkl ]
Definitions
physics
A particle is a tiny piece of matter, such as an atom or a molecule.
Synonyms
atom, molecule, subatomic particle.
Examples of usage
- Scientists are studying the behavior of particles at the subatomic level.
- The collision of particles in the accelerator created new elements.
- Particles interact with each other through fundamental forces.
- The concept of wave-particle duality is central to quantum mechanics.
- Particle physics explores the smallest building blocks of the universe.
grammar
A particle is a small word that does not change its form and has a grammatical function.
Synonyms
function word, grammatical particle.
Examples of usage
- In English, particles like 'up' and 'down' can change the meaning of a verb.
- Japanese uses particles like 'は' and 'が' to indicate the subject and object of a sentence.
- Particles in German can help show the relationship between words in a sentence.
meteorology
A particle can refer to a small piece of matter or substance suspended in the air.
Synonyms
aerosol, dust, particulate matter.
Examples of usage
- Cloud seeding involves releasing particles into the atmosphere to induce precipitation.
- Air pollution can be caused by particles from vehicle emissions and industrial processes.
- The air quality index measures the concentration of particles in the air.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- In physics, particles can refer to subatomic objects like electrons, protons, and neutrons, which are the building blocks of atoms.
- The discovery of the Higgs boson particle in 2012 helped scientists understand why other particles have mass.
- Quantum mechanics studies particles and their behaviors, revealing that they can exist in multiple states at once.
Pop Culture
- In the 1998 animated film 'The Iron Giant,' the title character is described as a 'giant metal particle' capable of great friendship.
- The 2019 Marvel movie 'Avengers: Endgame' explores concepts of particle physics through time travel and quantum mechanics.
Philosophy
- The idea of particles challenges the understanding of materialism, raising questions about the nature of reality and existence.
- Philosophers have debated whether reality is made of indivisible particles or if they can be broken down further into even smaller components.
History of Science
- Democritus, a Greek philosopher, first proposed that matter is composed of indivisible particles called 'atomos' around 400 BCE.
- The development of atomic theory in the 19th century further advanced the understanding of elements as collections of particles.
Origin of 'particle'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'particle' comes from the Latin 'particula,' meaning 'a small part' or 'fragment.'
- It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe tiny parts of a substance.
The word 'particle' has roots in Latin, where 'particula' meant 'small part'. The concept of particles in physics dates back to ancient Greek philosophers who proposed that matter is composed of indivisible particles. Over time, the understanding of particles evolved through scientific discoveries in the fields of physics, chemistry, and biology. In grammar, the term 'particle' has been used to describe small words with specific functions in sentence structure. The study of particles in meteorology also plays a role in understanding atmospheric phenomena and environmental impacts. The multifaceted use of the word 'particle' reflects its importance across various disciplines.
See also: apart, counterpart, impart, multipart, part, partable, partial, partially, participate, particular, parting, partisan, partition, partitive, partly, partner, partook, parts, partway, party.