I’m trying to simply things in dummy terms so I remember it easier rather than memorizing a definition I want to understand it on a basic level. A Neutron is an uncharged elementary particle that equals a protons mass in a nucleus this stabilizing it, I also know that in an atom there has to be equal amounts of neutrons and protons, and that the neutrons act as a sort of binder, so what sort of analogy or explanation could be used to describe it? Does a Neutron sort of act like the Mortar for a Brick Structure? Or like the glue that keeps protons from falling apart?
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>A Neutron is an uncharged elementary particle
This is false. Neutrons are made of quarks, which are elementary particles. It’s not an important detail when understanding atoms.
> I also know that in an atom there has to be equal amounts of neutrons and protons
Also false. Some lighter elements may have equal numbers, but it’s not always necessary, and heavier ones will have more neutrons than protons to remain stable.
>so what sort of analogy or explanation could be used to describe it
The protons and neutrons are a bunch of balls covered in glue, and the protons are magnets, but are weird in that they can only repel other magnets. The glue represents the Strong Nuclear Force. It’s a very short range force, so it only acts between adjacent particles. Like glue. The strong force acts between protons as well, so that’s why I’m talking about balls covered in glue instead of the neutrons simply being the glue.
There’s even a particle called a gluon which is related to the strong force, and its name comes from the glue analogy.
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