What is a neutron

Definition of neutron

A neutron is a nuclear particle without the atomic components of the atom with an electric charge of approximately equal weight of the proton. The neutron is present in the nuclei of the atoms, and can be found outside, where it is called free neutrons and becomes highly accessible. The neutron discovery was delayed due to its neutral charge and the difficulty of observing its effect until it was discovered in 1932 by Nobel Prize winning physicist James Chadwick during his experiments on beryllium. He emitted it with alpha particles and observed an unexpectedly charged radiation from the experiment. In contrast to the common, neutrons are not elementary particles but are composed of smaller particles called quarks.

Characteristics of neutron and its applications

Neutrons inside the nucleus are strongly linked to protons, and because of the equivalence of the electric charge of neutrons, they are seen as nuclear bonds that maintain the cohesion of the nucleus within the atom. Free neutrons are characterized by their high permeability through materials, making them very important in the world of medicine and health. Penetrates 200 mm of lead and has a short life of about 11 minutes before the neutron decomposes into an electron and a proton.

Neutrons are not affected by their electrical surroundings during movement, making them able to move in straight paths regardless of their physical surroundings, leading to experiments that have produced remarkable development including medicine, energy, weapons and other applications that have had a great impact on humanity and the world, all because of their distinctive characteristics , By using neutrons, humanity has been able to diagnose many of the diseases that were previously impossible dilemmas, as well as the generation of energy through nuclear reactors, which are the neutrons of the most important fundamentals, which are used to divide the nuclei of uranium in the For nuclear reactors and experiments, to initiate the process of chain reaction, the nucleus of uranium is separated by one neutron, leading to the production of new neutrons that interact with other uranium nuclei.

Neutron and future

Since the discovery of several neutrons, the number of applications of neutrons has been compared to the short period of time since they were discovered. This indicates the increasing importance of these particles over time, as well as the increasing research and studies around them, which may indicate their entry into more broad areas in the future. .

from
https://www.ararblog.com/2019/03/what-is-neutron.html