In physics, a theory describing the interactions of
quarks, the
elementary particles that make up all
hadrons (subatomic particles such as protons and neutrons). In quantum chromodynamics, quarks are considered to interact by exchanging particles called gluons, which carry the
strong nuclear force, and whose role is to glue quarks together.
The mathematics involved in the theory is complex, and, although a number of successful predictions have been made, the theory does not compare in accuracy with
quantum electrodynamics, upon which it is modelled. See
forces, fundamental.
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