Proton Shape

First figure: a proton (left) has quark constituents: two up quarks (red circle) and one down quark (blue). In a nucleus, such as a helium nucleus (right), protons and neutrons (two down quarks and one up quark) can be kneaded from its quiescent shape (dark gray) into a more stretched out shape (light gray).

Second figure: An alternative graphical rendering of "kneaded" protons.

Reported by: Strauch et al., Physical Review Letters

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