Quarks, which are elementary particles, are considered to be point-like particles with no known substructure or internal components. Unlike electrons in atoms, quarks do not have different shapes or energy levels within a proton. The properties of quarks, such as their electric charge, mass, and flavor, are characterized by quantum numbers rather than distinct energy levels.
In the context of the Standard Model of particle physics, quarks are described by quantum chromodynamics (QCD), which is the theory that governs the strong nuclear force. According to QCD, quarks are always confined within composite particles, such as protons and neutrons, due to a phenomenon known as color confinement. This means that quarks cannot be observed in isolation but are always found in combinations that result in color-neutral states.
The structure and properties of protons, which consist of three quarks (two up quarks and one down quark), are described by the interactions between the quarks mediated by gluons, which are the carriers of the strong force. The dynamics of these interactions are complex and involve the exchange of gluons, resulting in the overall properties of the proton, including its charge, mass, and spin.
While quarks do not possess different shapes or energy levels within a proton, they do contribute to the overall distribution of charge and energy within the particle through their interactions with other quarks and gluons. However, it is important to note that the precise details of the internal structure and dynamics of protons, including the distribution of quarks and gluons, are still an active area of research in particle physics.