= Point particle
A <point particle> is an idealization whose position is represented by a single spatial point and whose internal size and structure are omitted. It can still carry parameters such as <mass>, <electric charge> or <spin>.
The approximation is useful when the relevant length scales are much larger than the object's size and internal deformation is unimportant. A planet can be treated as a <point mass> for some orbital calculations even though it is extended. Short-distance fields and self-interaction can expose the <limits> of the idealization.
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