what are the main purposes of the neutron?
2006-11-05 14:56:52 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
the neutron is around to strengthen the strong force. Neutrons and Protons both interact and are held together by the strong force but Protons repel each other by the electromagnetic force. Neutrons increase the strong force without adding any repulsive forces
2006-11-05 15:05:18 · answer #1 · answered by Greg G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question as asked seems to have no meaning. Neutrons do not have a purpose, they just are. It is like askng "What purpose does water have?", it has no purpose, it just is.
If your meaning is "What can neutrons be used for?", that is a different question. Neutrons are the basis for nuclear energy, both in reactors and in bombs. This is because, being without charge, they can penetrate to the nucleus of atoms fairly easily, where their arrival causes that nucleus to split, giving off more neutrons. This is what is meant by a chain reaction.
2006-11-05 23:53:40 · answer #2 · answered by sofarsogood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We need to be careful here. Neutrons were theorised by physicists to explain certain phenomena which could not otherwise be explained. So, by asking "what is the main purpose", the answer really is "to explain the unexplained". Eventually, there may be a theory which does not rely upon the existance of uncharged particles at all.
2006-11-05 23:27:40 · answer #3 · answered by Mez 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. The neutron is simply a non-charged particle in an atom's nucleus. They occur when an electric charge is neutralized by having an electron (-) contact a proton (+).
2006-11-05 23:01:11 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neutrons are mainly around for stability purposes.
2006-11-05 23:01:41 · answer #5 · answered by munkmunk17 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋