What is quantum chromodynamics?
Quick Answer
Quantum chromodynamics, or QCD, is the theory that describes the strong interaction between quarks and gluons. It explains how protons, neutrons, and other hadrons are built.
The Full Story
Quantum chromodynamics is the quantum field theory of the strong force. In QCD, quarks carry a property called color charge, and gluons mediate the force between them. Unlike electromagnetism, the force becomes stronger as quarks are pulled apart, which is why quarks are confined inside particles such as protons and neutrons. QCD predicts that at extremely high temperatures or densities, matter can form a quark-gluon plasma, a state studied in particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider and RHIC. The theory is a major pillar of the Standard Model.
Key Facts
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"The theory that keeps quarks trapped inside matter"
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