Elementary particles like quarks and electrons are classified as matter rather than energy. Matter refers to the physical substance that occupies space and has mass, while energy is the ability to do work or cause changes in matter.
Quarks and electrons are fundamental particles that are considered building blocks of matter. They have mass and occupy space, which are defining characteristics of matter. These particles interact with other particles and fields, giving rise to the diverse forms of matter that we observe in the universe.
Energy, on the other hand, can exist in various forms such as kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, electromagnetic energy, and so on. While particles like quarks and electrons possess energy due to their motion or interaction with fields, they themselves are considered as matter rather than energy.
It's important to note that matter and energy are interconnected through the famous equation E=mc², where energy (E) and mass (m) are equivalent and can be converted into each other. However, in terms of classification, elementary particles like quarks and electrons are generally categorized as matter.