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
Examples of nucleon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
The Strong Nuclear Force Atomic nucleons — protons and neutrons — are held together by the strong force.
—Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2023
Her model explained why certain numbers of nucleons make for stable atomic configurations.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 25 Feb. 2020
The isotope is created by a nuclear reaction, and the research team believes the nucleus wobbles because of one extra nucleon.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 12 Feb. 2020
Plenty of nuclei have odd numbers of nucleons overall, but this gold isotope is a rare one because of the wobbling.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 12 Feb. 2020
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
The Strong Nuclear Force Atomic nucleons — protons and neutrons — are held together by the strong force.
—Katie McCormick, Quanta Magazine, 12 June 2023
Her model explained why certain numbers of nucleons make for stable atomic configurations.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 25 Feb. 2020
The isotope is created by a nuclear reaction, and the research team believes the nucleus wobbles because of one extra nucleon.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 12 Feb. 2020
Plenty of nuclei have odd numbers of nucleons overall, but this gold isotope is a rare one because of the wobbling.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 12 Feb. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nucleon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Nucleon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleon. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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nucleon
noun
nu·cle·on
ˈn(y)ü-klē-ˌän
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