Neutron dummy explanation

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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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Anonymous 0 Comments

A couple of things from your question I want to point out. Neutrons are not elementary particles because they are made of even smaller particles called quarks. If that’s not relevant to what you need to know RIGHT NOW, then don’t think too hard about it. That’s just a terminology mix-up.

Also, there is no requirement for atoms that says they must have equal numbers of protons and neutrons. Hydrogen’s nucleus is a single proton. Carbon can exist in several different “isotopes” or atomic weights. What changes is the number of neutrons. Carbon-12 is the most common with 6 protons and 6 neutrons. Carbon-14 also exists with 6 protons and 8 neutrons. The thing I think you perhaps misunderstood is that some combinations of protons and neutrons cause unstable atomic nuclei. These atoms are radioactive and will decay, but they can still exist for a long time. Example: Carbon-12 is stable, and Carbon-14 is radioactive. That’s part of the basis of how Carbon dating works.

This is way beyond the scope of what you asked, but I want to make sure that you have accurate info.

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