Neutrónov

Neutrónov refers to the plural form of neutron in Slovak and Czech. A neutron is a subatomic particle with no net electric charge and a mass slightly greater than that of a proton. Neutrons, along with protons, are the two types of nucleons that make up atomic nuclei.

The discovery of the neutron is credited to Sir James Chadwick in 1932. He bombarded beryllium with alpha particles, and the resulting radiation, which was not deflected by electric or magnetic fields, indicated the presence of a neutral particle. Neutrons are composed of quarks, specifically one up quark and two down quarks.

In atomic nuclei, neutrons play a crucial role in stabilizing the atom. The strong nuclear force binds protons and neutrons together, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged protons. The number of neutrons in an atom of a given element can vary, leading to different isotopes. For example, carbon-12 has six protons and six neutrons, while carbon-14 has six protons and eight neutrons.

Free neutrons are unstable and undergo beta decay with a half-life of about 10 minutes, decaying into a proton, an electron, and an electron antineutrino. Neutrons are essential in nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission, which is the basis for nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons. Their neutral charge allows them to penetrate atomic nuclei without electrostatic repulsion, making them effective projectiles for inducing nuclear transformations.