Questions tagged [neutrons]
The neutron is a subatomic particle, with no net electric charge and a mass slightly larger than that of a proton. It is a fermion of spin $\frac 1 2$; a hadron, that is it interacts strongly; and a nucleon, that is a crucial component of atomic nuclei.
552
questions
4
votes
2
answers
453
views
Proton-Neutron Lattice as a form of matter?
Would it be possible for a lattice of protons and neutrons (I'm picturing a plane of hexagons in my head) to exist bound by the strong nuclear force (not gravity)? I know that the strong force losses ...
5
votes
1
answer
550
views
Is the long range neutron-antineutron interaction repulsive or attractive?
I can model this interaction as Zee does in "Quantum field theory in a nutshell". In chapter I.4 section "from particle to force" he uses two delta functions for the source. The integral gives $E=-\...
12
votes
3
answers
713
views
Does neutron radiation form clouds?
I've heard a couple of scary stories from experienced accellerator physiscists about something called neutron clouds. Apparently, if you have an experiment like a fixed-target experiment that produces ...
7
votes
1
answer
461
views
How would nucleosynthesis be different if the neutron were stable?
If the strong nuclear force were just 2% stronger, the neutron would be a stable particle instead of having a half life of about 13 minutes. What difference would that have made to Big Bang ...
1
vote
2
answers
835
views
What is a proton-rich atom?
http://wiki.chemprime.chemeddl.org/images/e/e4/Plot_of_Neutron_Number_vs._Proton_Number_.jpg
The above graph shows that all elements have more neutrons than protons in this nucleus. So how is there ...
71
votes
7
answers
27k
views
How come neutrons in a nucleus don't decay?
I know outside a nucleus, neutrons are unstable and they have half life of about 15 minutes. But when they are together with protons inside the nucleus, they are stable. How does that happen?
I got ...
10
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Having the same number of neutrons
Sorry if this is a silly question.
If I understand correctly, for two atoms "having the same number of protons" is equivalent to "being of the same element", while "having the same number of protons ...
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What is the difference between a neutron and hydrogen?
Differences? They are both an electron and a proton, since the neutron decays to a proton and an electron, what's the difference between a neutron and proton + electron? so is it just a higher binding ...
7
votes
2
answers
376
views
What is a magnetised neutron star?
I heard the term the other day, but it seems strange to me. My understanding is that neutron stars are made up of neutrons; and neutrons (having no charge) shouldn't be magnetised.
7
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How are neutrons produced from cosmic ray particles?
What are the details of how neutrons are produced as a result of cosmic ray particles hitting our planet's atmosphere?
For instance, what is the pathway that creates the highest number of neutrons ...
15
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What's with the very slightly larger mass of the neutron compared to the proton?
Neutron mass: 1.008664 u
Proton mass: 1.007276 u
Why the discrepancy?
On a related note, how does one go about measuring the mass of a neutron or proton, anyway?
29
votes
7
answers
12k
views
Why do neutrons repel each other?
I can understand why 2 protons will repel each other, because they're both positive. But there isn't a neutral charge is there? So why do neutrons repel? (Do they, or have I been misinformed?)
The ...