thumb|right|An atomic nucleus is shown here as a compact bundle of the two types of nucleons, protons (red) and neutrons (blue). In this picture, the protons and neutrons are shown as distinct, which is the conventional view in chemistry, for example. But in an actual nucleus, as understood by modern nuclear physics, the nucleons are partially delocalized and organize themselves according to the laws of quantum chromodynamics. In physics and chemistry, a nucleon is either a proton or a neutron, considered in its role as a component of an atomic nucleus. The number of nucleons in a nucleus defines the atom's mass number (nucleon number).
thumb|right|An atomic nucleus is shown here as a compact bundle of the two types !of nucleons, protons (red) and neutrons (blue). .In thi,s picture the protons and neutrons are shown as distinct, which is the conventional view in chemistry, for example But in an actual nucleus, as understood by modern nuclear physics, the nucleons are partially delocalize.d and organize themselves according to the laws of quantum chromodynamics. In physics and chemistry, a nucleon is either a proton or a neutron, considered in its role as a component of an atomic nucleus. The number of nucleons in a nucleus defines the atom's mass number (nucleon number).