nucleone

A nucleone is a general term for either a proton or a neutron, the two types of particles that make up the nucleus of an atom. Protons and neutrons are collectively known as nucleons because they are the constituents of the atomic nucleus. Both protons and neutrons are baryons, which are composite subatomic particles made up of quarks. Specifically, a proton consists of two up quarks and one down quark, while a neutron consists of one up quark and two down quarks.

The term nucleone is useful when discussing nuclear physics and nuclear reactions where the specific identity of a proton or neutron is not important, or when referring to the collective properties of these particles within the nucleus. For instance, the strong nuclear force, which binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, is often referred to as the nucleone-nucleone force. The number of nucleons in an atomic nucleus determines its mass number. Nucleons are fundamental to the structure and stability of all atomic nuclei, excluding hydrogen-1, which has a nucleus composed of a single proton.