Neutron

Definition

An uncharged subatomic particle that lives in the nucleus alongside protons and offsets the repulsion between packed positive charges.

As elements get heavier, more protons crowd the nucleus and create intense repulsion that neutrons stabilize. Changing the neutron count produces isotopes without altering the atom’s identity or chemistry. Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are both carbon with identical chemistry but different neutron counts.

Related concepts

Proton · Atomic mass and atomic weight · Atom

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry