neutrons
Protons' uncharged neighbors
Neutrons are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of atoms alongside protons.
Unlike protons, which carry positive charge, neutrons have no electrical charge—hence the name.
The number of neutrons in an atom determines its isotope: carbon-12 has six neutrons, carbon-14 has eight.
Free neutrons outside the nucleus are unstable and decay within minutes.
Neutron stars are collapsed stellar cores composed almost entirely of neutrons.
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- uraniumElement ninety-two
plutonium · critical mass · moderator · control rod · coolant · breeder reactor · thermonuclear · radioactive decay
Protons and neutrons combined
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
- heavy waterDeuterium-based water compound
- nucleosynthesisAtomic core formation process
Smaller than atoms
- quarksFundamental hadron components
- fermionsHalf-spin matter constituents
- baryonsThree-quark subatomic particles
- hadronsQuark-containing composite particles
gluons · protons · spin · quantum · strong force · weak force · beta decay · charge
Central controlling part
- protonPositive nuclear particle
- electronNegative subatomic particle
- atomElement's smallest unit
- elementBasic substance or factor
hydrogen · helium · atomic number · atomic mass · nuclear force · magic numbers · nucleon · atomic structure
Diagnostic imaging using X-rays
- materials scienceStudy of engineered substances
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- helium-3Light noble gas variant
- dating techniquesWays to determine age
English family name
- RutherfordAtomic model developer
- 1932Early thirties date
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- berylliumFourth periodic table element
fission
Nuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
uranium · plutonium · critical mass · moderator · control rod · coolant · breeder reactor · thermonuclear · radioactive decay · gamma rays
mass number
Protons and neutrons combined
- deuteriumHydrogen isotope with neutron
- tritiumHydrogen's radioactive isotope
- heavy waterDeuterium-based water compound
nucleosynthesis · radioisotope · carbon-14 · uranium-238 · nuclide
subatomic
Smaller than atoms
- quarksFundamental hadron components
- fermionsHalf-spin matter constituents
- baryonsThree-quark subatomic particles
hadrons · gluons · protons · spin · quantum · strong force · weak force · beta decay · charge · mass
nucleus
Central controlling part
element · hydrogen · helium · atomic number · atomic mass · nuclear force · magic numbers · nucleon · atomic structure
radiography
Diagnostic imaging using X-rays
- materials scienceStudy of engineered substances
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- helium-3Light noble gas variant
Chadwick
English family name
- RutherfordAtomic model developer
- 1932Early thirties date
- alpha particlesEmitted helium nuclei
- nuclear energynuclear power, nuclear reactors, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, uranium
- element propertiesatomic number, atomic mass, atomic weight, symbol, electronegativity
- subatomic particleselectrons, protons, photons, positrons, muons
- cosmic rayscosmic rays, cosmic radiation, solar rays, proton, protons
- radiochemistryradiolysis, radiochemistry, ionizing radiation, gamma radiation, radiation dose
- mattermatter, atoms, molecules, atom, molecule
neutronsprotons
Positive nuclear particles
electrons · charged particles · ions · positrons · cations
- neutron starUltradense stellar remnant
- neutron bombWarhead maximizing radiation output
- Jimmy Neutron
- neutron absorptionNucleus incorporates uncharged particle