The word magic is not often used in the context of science. But in the early 1930s, scientists discovered that some atomic nuclei—the center part of atoms, which make up all matter—were more stable ...

Static electricity works because electrons are strongly attracted to protons, right? But, in atoms, electrons are right there, next to the protons in the nucleus. Why don’t the electrons zip directly ...

For the first time, researchers have reported a 3D metal-organic framework (MOF) that can conduct both electrons and protons (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c13792). Materials mixing ...

One of the most fundamental chemical reactions that takes place in energy-conversion systems—including catalysts, flow batteries, high-capacity energy-storing supercapacitors, and systems to make ...

Particle accelerator technology has crested a new wave. For the first time, scientists have shown that electrons can gain energy by surfing waves kicked up by protons shot through plasma. In the ...

The stuff of daily existence is made of atoms, and all those atoms are made of the same three things: electrons, protons and neutrons. Protons and neutrons are very similar particles in most respects.

The “lead” of a pencil is actually made of a substance called graphite which is made of carbon atoms. The picture shows a close-up of one carbon atom. A hydrogen atom has one proton as the nucleus and ...

Atoms are composed of three particles with an electric charge: electrons, protons and uncharged neutrons. Electrons have a negative charge, and protons have a positive charge. The negative charge of ...