Why are neutrons more effective than charged particles at entering atomic nuclei?

Neutrons are more effective than charged particles at entering atomic nuclei because they possess no electric charge.12

Positively charged particles, such as protons or alpha particles, experience a repulsive electrostatic force when approaching a target nucleus, known as the Coulomb barrier. To overcome this repulsion and reach the nucleus, charged particles must possess significant kinetic energy, often requiring acceleration to high voltages or extreme temperatures.23

In contrast, because neutrons are electrically neutral, they are not subject to this electrostatic repulsion. Consequently, they can pass unhindered through the electrical fields surrounding atoms and enter the nucleus even at very low energies, such as those corresponding to room temperature. This ability to penetrate the nucleus without needing to overcome a repulsive barrier makes the neutron a highly effective tool for inducing nuclear reactions, including nuclear fission.124