Difference between revisions of "Neutron"
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A '''neutron''' is the neutral particle in an [[atom]]'s [[nucleus]]. It is a [[baryon]], comprised of two down [[quark]]s and an up [[quark]] It keeps the positive protons in the nucleus from being pushed apart from each other by their like charges. A lack or excess of neutrons causes an atom to become unstable; [[beta decay|beta radiation]] is the conversion of a neutron into a [[proton]] which emits an [[electron]] and an [[anti-electron neutrino]]. Although neutrons comprise a large part of all matter, they are inherently unstable if not bound to a nucleus, and decay into a proton and an electron in a brief period of time. | A '''neutron''' is the neutral particle in an [[atom]]'s [[nucleus]]. It is a [[baryon]], comprised of two down [[quark]]s and an up [[quark]] It keeps the positive protons in the nucleus from being pushed apart from each other by their like charges. A lack or excess of neutrons causes an atom to become unstable; [[beta decay|beta radiation]] is the conversion of a neutron into a [[proton]] which emits an [[electron]] and an [[anti-electron neutrino]]. Although neutrons comprise a large part of all matter, they are inherently unstable if not bound to a nucleus, and decay into a proton and an electron in a brief period of time. | ||
| − | ==See | + | ==See also== |
*[[Atom]] | *[[Atom]] | ||
Revision as of 16:34, July 13, 2016
The Feynmann diagram of the neutron beta decay process
A neutron is the neutral particle in an atom's nucleus. It is a baryon, comprised of two down quarks and an up quark It keeps the positive protons in the nucleus from being pushed apart from each other by their like charges. A lack or excess of neutrons causes an atom to become unstable; beta radiation is the conversion of a neutron into a proton which emits an electron and an anti-electron neutrino. Although neutrons comprise a large part of all matter, they are inherently unstable if not bound to a nucleus, and decay into a proton and an electron in a brief period of time.