Chemistry / Unit 2 Chem 0208 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Neutron
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The idea
A neutron is an uncharged subatomic particle in the nucleus, close in mass to a proton, confirmed by Chadwick in 1932.
In practice
Two atoms of the same element can carry different numbers of neutrons, changing their mass without changing their chemical behavior.
Where people slip
An uncharged particle does not mean a massless one; neutrons contribute to an atom's mass fully as much as protons do.
Your place on the trail
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Builds on
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