bottom quark

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the quark having electric charge −1/3 times the elementary charge and bottom quantum number −1. It is more massive than the up, down, strange, and charmed quarks.

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bottom quark Scientific  

/ bŏt′əm /

1. A quark with a charge of − 1/3. Its mass is smaller than that of the top quark, but larger than that of all the other quarks. The bottom quark is sometimes referred to as the beauty quark, though this term is falling out of use.

2. See Table at subatomic particle

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Etymology

Origin of bottom quark

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Two sets of similar but heavier particles can pop into brief existence: the muon, muon neutrino, charm quark, and strange quark; and the tau, tau neutrino, top quark, and bottom quark.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 27, 2024

Indeed, Lederman made Fermilab’s first major discovery, the bottom quark, in 1977.

From Nature • Nov. 4, 2018

Dr. Lederman made another major advance, in 1977, when he led a group that first observed another subatomic particle known as the bottom quark, or sometimes the “beauty” quark.

From Washington Post • Oct. 4, 2018

Lederman made another major advance, in 1977, when he led a group that first observed another subatomic particle known as the bottom quark, or sometimes the “beauty” quark.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2018

That would also include studies of the W particle and bottom quark, which would also be produced in profusion.

From Scientific American • Sep. 29, 2011