What does the suffix on mean in particle physics?

In particle physics, the suffix "-on" is often used to denote a particle.

Here's a breakdown of how it's used:

* Fundamental particles:

* Leptons: electron, muon, tau, and their corresponding neutrinos.

* Quarks: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.

* Composite particles:

* Hadrons: protons, neutrons, mesons.

* Other particles:

* Bosons: W and Z bosons, Higgs boson, graviton (hypothetical).

Examples:

* Electron: A fundamental particle, part of the lepton family.

* Proton: A composite particle made of two up quarks and one down quark.

* Higgs boson: A fundamental particle responsible for giving mass to other particles.

Exceptions:

There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as:

* Neutrino: This particle does not end in "-on."

* Antiparticles: Antiparticles often have the prefix "anti-" (e.g., antiproton, antielectron).

In summary: While "-on" is a common suffix for particles, it's not a universal rule. Always check the context to understand the specific particle being discussed.