What is a preon?

A preon is a hypothetical elementary particle that is proposed as a subcomponent of quarks and leptons, which are currently considered the fundamental building blocks of matter in the Standard Model of particle physics. The concept of preons was introduced in the 1970s as an attempt to provide a more fundamental understanding of particles and to address certain questions about the hierarchy of particle masses and interactions. In essence, if preons exist, they would be even smaller and more fundamental than quarks and leptons. The idea behind them is similar to how quarks make up protons and neutrons. However, it's important to note that, as of now, preons remain a theoretical concept and have not been experimentally verified. Research in particle physics continues to explore the nature of fundamental particles, and while preons offer intriguing possibilities, the Standard Model remains the most widely accepted theory of particle physics.