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When bound inside of a nucleus, the instability of a single neutron to beta decay is balanced against the instability that would be acquired by the nucleus as a whole if an additional proton were to participate in repulsive interactions with the other protons that are already present in the nucleus. As such, although free neutrons are unstable, bound neutrons are not necessarily so. The same reasoning explains why protons, which are stable in empty space, may transform into neutrons when bound inside of a nucleus.
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Why can only electrons move?
Electrons are the only particles in an atom that are free to move because they have a negative charge and are loosely bound to the nucleus. Protons and neutrons are tightly bound within the nucleus and do not move easily. Electrons carry electrical current in materials because of their mobility.
What are the characteristics of a bound state and how does it differ from a free state?
A bound state is when particles are held together by a force, such as in an atom or molecule. In a bound state, the particles have lower energy and are stable. In contrast, a free state is when particles are not bound together and can move independently. Bound states have specific energy levels and are more stable than free states.
How is a neutron made?
As the name suggests, neutron stars are actually composed of neutrons. When there is a sufficiently strong gravitational field, atoms (or superheated plasma consisting of fragments of atoms) collapse, and the electrons and the protons combine to form neutrons. Only neutrons are left.
Where is nuclear energy stored?
Most of the energy in a nuclear power plant is due to the neutrons. The half-life of a free neutron (a neutron no longer bound to an atom) is about 15 minutes, before it breaks down by radioactive decay. When emitted from an atom in a radioactive decay, it is traveling very fast. It may be slowed down by using a moderator - a material in which it has a high likelyhood of a collision. Since it spends longer in the moderator, there is a greater probability of the energy of the breakup being contained within the moderator. In its decay, it emits energy, and this is perceived as heat, and may then be used to drive a steam generator to make power. So the energy is stored as the element of structure of the neutron, and when that structure breaks down, the energy is emitted. (or at least that part that was binding energy in the neutron).
Do neutrons determine the conductivity of the atom?
Neutrons do not directly affect the conductivity of an atom. Conductivity is primarily determined by the number and mobility of electrons in an atom. Neutrons only contribute to the mass of the atom and play a role in stabilizing the atomic nucleus.
What are the characteristics of the neutrons?
Neutrons have no electric charge and have nearly 1,840 times the mass of the electron. Free neutrons undergo beta decay with a half-life of about 10 minutes. Thus, they are not readily found in nature, except in cosmic rays. They are a penetrating form of radiation. When bombarded with neutrons, various elements undergo nuclear fission and release more free neutrons. If enough free neutrons are produced, a chain reaction can be sustained.
Why aren't neutrons fluorescent?
Simply put, the emission radiation energy does not match fluorescent energies. Free neutrons are not stable and undergo beta decay with an average life span of 15 minutes (see Wikipedia).
What is the location of the neutron?
a neutron's location in an atom is in the core, or nucleus, of that atom.Where_is_the_neutrons_location_in_the_atom
Is a deforestation a free or bound morpheme?
Type your answer here... forest is the free morpheme
What are free and thermal neutrons?
A free neutron is any neutron not bound into an atomic nucleus. A thermal neutron is a free neutron having about the same kinetic energy as the thermal vibrations of atoms at ordinary temperatures, roughly under 2eV (0.025eV at room temperature).
Why can only electrons move?
Electrons are the only particles in an atom that are free to move because they have a negative charge and are loosely bound to the nucleus. Protons and neutrons are tightly bound within the nucleus and do not move easily. Electrons carry electrical current in materials because of their mobility.
What is free and bound morphemes?
Free morphemes can stand alone as a word, while bound morphemes need to be attached to a free morpheme to convey meaning. For example, "book" is a free morpheme while the "-ed" in "walked" is a bound morpheme.
Are there free neutrons in the sun?
yes
What is the antonym of bound?
The antonyms of bound are allowed, free, permitted, unbounded, and unrestricted.
What are the characteristics of a bound state and how does it differ from a free state?
A bound state is when particles are held together by a force, such as in an atom or molecule. In a bound state, the particles have lower energy and are stable. In contrast, a free state is when particles are not bound together and can move independently. Bound states have specific energy levels and are more stable than free states.
Will everything in the universe finally decay to nothing?
Some scientific theories suggest that over EXTREMELY long time periods, protons themselves can decay. If so, then a few trillion years from now, the universe may eventually decay into a sea of free neutrons.
What is the difference between free and bound morpheme?
Free morphemes can stand alone as words, while bound morphemes need to be attached to another morpheme to form a word. Free morphemes have meaning on their own, while bound morphemes only have meaning when attached to other morphemes.
