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neutron
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
atoms
Diagram of the Bohr atomic model for a nitrogen atom, showing a central nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by two rings of orbiting electrons. Labels identify protons, neutrons, electrons, and electron orbits.
The Structure of an Atom Explained
Simple diagrams of protons, neutrons, and pions display yellow quark and green antiquark spheres connected by purple ribbon-like gluons, illustrating the internal structure of these atomic particles. Figure 13: Nuclear vibratory motion in the giant dipole resonance. Protons and neutrons move in opposite directions. Diagram showing the sequence of uranium nucleus fission after being struck by a neutron: the nucleus absorbs the neutron, deforms, splits into fragments, releases more neutrons and gamma rays, and emits beta particles as the fragments decay. Labels identify neutrons, protons, beta particles, and gamma rays, with accompanying explanatory text.
Why is carbon called the element of life?
What the fission of a uranium nucleus by a neutron looks like
Quizzes
Periodic Table of the elements concept image (chemistry)
Facts You Should Know: The Periodic Table Quiz

neutron: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Deleted Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Current status of neutron crystallography in structural biology. Jun 19, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Current status of neutron crystallography in structural biology. Jun 19, 2026
Add new Web site: IOPscience - History and basics of neutron imaging. Apr 09, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Current status of neutron crystallography in structural biology. May 10, 2025
Add new Web site: BBC - In Our Time - The Neutron. Jan 29, 2025
Add new Web site: NASA - The Health Risks of Extraterrestrial Environments - Neutron Properties and Definitions. Sep 27, 2024
Add new Web site: Nature - Scientific Reports - The origin of neutron biological effectiveness as a function of energy. Jul 05, 2024
Add new Web site: Science and Technology Facilities Council - ISIS Neutron and Muon Source - What is a neutron? Nov 03, 2023
Add new Web site: EWT - Neutron. Jul 28, 2023
Links and videos added. Apr 21, 2023
Add new Web site: Space.com - Neutrons: Facts about the influential subatomic particles. Jan 25, 2023
Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - Neutrons. Dec 19, 2022
Article revised and updated. Aug 10, 2022
Add new Web site: Rader Chem4Kids.com - Neutrons. Jul 28, 2014
Add new Web site: Jefferson Lab - All About Atoms. Feb 18, 2011
Add new Web site: Jefferson Lab - All About Atoms. Feb 18, 2011
Changed value of neutron mass from 1.67495 x 10^-27 kg to 1.67493 x 10^-27 kg and ratio to electron mass from 1,840 to 1,839. Aug 11, 2010
Added new Web site: History of The Universe - neutron. Dec 31, 2007
Added new Web site: HyperPhysics - Protons and Neutron. Dec 31, 2007
Article revised and updated. Mar 16, 2007
Article revised and updated. Jul 20, 2006
Article revised. Jan 11, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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