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Hello! My name in Jo Dudek.
I’m a theoretical nuclear physicist here at Jefferson Lab.
An elementary particle, sometimes called a fundamental particle,
Is one, which, as far as we know,
can’t be subdivided into any more basic building block.
The electrons, which form the outer part of atoms,
As far as we know, are not built out of anything smaller.
On the other hand, the atomic nucleus
Is built out of protons and neutrons.
They themselves are not elementary or fundamental particles.
Our best understanding of those particles
Is that they are built out of smaller particles, called quarks and gluons.
And those quarks and gluons, we believe to be elementary or fundamental particles.