Difference between revisions of "Neutron"
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| − | [[Image:310px-Beta Negative Decay svg.png|right|thumb|300px|The | + | [[Image:310px-Beta Negative Decay svg.png|right|thumb|300px|The Feynmann diagram of a neutron decaying ([[beta decay|beta minus decay]])]] |
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 undergoes beta minus decay in a brief period of time, with a half life of about 15 minutes.<ref>https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2014/02/toward-new-precision-measuring-neutron-lifetime</ref> | 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 undergoes beta minus decay in a brief period of time, with a half life of about 15 minutes.<ref>https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2014/02/toward-new-precision-measuring-neutron-lifetime</ref> | ||
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[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
[[Category:Chemistry]] | [[Category:Chemistry]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Particle physics]] | ||
Revision as of 12:28, September 9, 2016
The Feynmann diagram of a neutron decaying (beta minus decay)
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 undergoes beta minus decay in a brief period of time, with a half life of about 15 minutes.[1]