asked 116k views
5 votes
What kind of charge does a neutron have?

2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

Neutrons are electrically neutral subatomic particles found in the nucleus of atoms. They have a similar mass to protons but carry no electrical charge at all.

Step-by-step explanation:

The neutron is a subatomic particle that is commonly found in the nucleus of atoms, alongside protons. Neutrons are crucial in stabilizing the atom's nucleus and participate in nuclear reactions such as fission and fusion. Unlike protons that have a positive charge, or electrons that have a negative charge, neutrons carry no electrical charge. They are electrically neutral and do not contribute to the electrical properties of the atom. This neutrality implies that neutrons are not affected by electric forces, though they are subject to the strong nuclear force that binds them to protons in the nucleus.

With a mass slightly greater than that of a proton, the neutron's mass is approximately 1.0087 atomic mass units (amu), or 1.6749 × 10-27 kg. They are significantly more massive than electrons, with approximately 1838 times the mass of an electron. The presence of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom affects the isotopic nature and the stability of the element.

answered
User Stephan Steiner
by
7.1k points
0 votes
Neutrons actually don't carry an electrical charge, which is why they are called neutrons because they are "Neutral".


answered
User John Eikenberry
by
8.4k points

No related questions found

Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.