Particles Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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particles
[ˈpɑːtɪkl̩z ]
Definitions
in physics
A particle is a minute fragment or quantity of matter. In physics, it refers to a body whose mass is concentrated in a point in space, such as an electron or a proton.
Synonyms
atom, elementary particle, subatomic particle.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| particles |
Same as above. There is a repetition here. |
| atom |
Refers specifically to the basic unit of a chemical element. Atoms consist of a nucleus and electrons and are fundamental to understanding chemistry and physics.
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| elementary particle |
Used in the context of fundamental particles in physics that are not made up of smaller particles. Examples include quarks and leptons.
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| subatomic particle |
Refers to particles smaller than an atom, including protons, neutrons, and electrons. These are components of atoms.
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Examples of usage
- The behavior of particles at the quantum level is fascinating.
- Particle physics is a branch of science that studies the smallest components of matter.
in grammar
In grammar, a particle is a function word that does not belong to any of the inflected forms of a verb. It can modify the meaning of the verb or add nuances to it.
Synonyms
function word, grammatical particle.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| particles |
Used in a general sense to refer to tiny pieces of matter in science, physics, or general conversation.
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| function word |
Used in linguistics to refer to words that have little lexical meaning but serve to express grammatical relationships.
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| grammatical particle |
Specifically refers to a type of function word that does not change to fit grammatical categories in languages, often used for syntax structure.
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Examples of usage
- In English, particles like 'up' and 'out' are commonly used in phrasal verbs.
- The use of particles can sometimes change the entire meaning of a sentence.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- Particles can be as small as subatomic particles like electrons and protons, which are the building blocks of atoms.
- In physics, particles are categorized into two main types: fermions, which make up matter, and bosons, which mediate forces.
Technology
- Nanoparticles, which are particles smaller than 100 nanometers, are used in medicine for targeted drug delivery.
- Particle accelerators, large machines used in physics, allow scientists to collide particles at high speeds to study fundamental forces.
Pop Culture
- In movies like 'Ant-Man,' the idea of manipulating particles to change size captures the imagination of audiences.
- Video games such as 'Portal' feature particle physics in their gameplay mechanics, making the experience feel real.
Psychology
- The concept of particles can represent complexities in psychology, as our thoughts and emotions can comprise many small influences.
- In discussions about perception, particles can symbolically refer to the 'small pieces' of experiences we process to understand the world.
Origin of 'particles'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'particle' comes from the Latin 'particula,' meaning 'a small part or piece.'
- In the 17th century, the term started being used in scientific contexts to describe tiny components of matter.
The word 'particle' originated from the Latin word 'particula', meaning 'small part'. It has been used in various fields such as physics, chemistry, and grammar to describe small units of matter or linguistic elements. The concept of particles has been fundamental in understanding the structure of the universe and language.