Electrons and protons are not considered to have a defined shape in the conventional sense. In the context of elementary particles, they are often described as point-like or elementary particles without any internal structure or spatial extent. According to our current understanding of particle physics, electrons and protons are considered to be fundamental particles, which means they are not made up of smaller constituents.
The concept of a "shape" typically refers to the macroscopic objects we encounter in everyday life, such as tables, chairs, or even microscopic objects like atoms. These objects have a well-defined size and shape because they are composed of many atoms and molecules arranged in specific configurations.
However, at the subatomic level, particles like electrons and protons are best described by quantum mechanics, which operates on a different set of principles than classical physics. In quantum mechanics, particles are described by wave functions that determine the probabilities of their properties, such as position, momentum, and energy. The wave function of an electron or a proton does not have a spatial extent in the same way as macroscopic objects. Instead, it describes the probability of finding the particle at different locations.
It's important to note that while electrons and protons themselves are considered point-like or elementary particles, they can interact with other particles and fields in ways that give rise to their observed properties, such as electric charge and mass. These interactions are described by quantum field theories, which provide a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of particles and forces.
In summary, electrons and protons are not considered to have a defined shape because they are considered fundamental particles without any internal structure or spatial extent. Their properties and behaviors are described by quantum mechanics and quantum field theories, which operate on a different scale than classical physics and do not attribute shape to individual elementary particles.