Part 01 · Atoms and matter · Card 6 of 10
Neutron
A particle inside the nucleus with no charge. Its relative mass is 1, the same as a proton.
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Analogy
Neutrons are like neutral glue that adds weight to the nucleus without adding charge.
In practice
Carbon-12 has 6 neutrons. Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons.
Practice
Flashcards
- How do you work out the number of neutrons?Mass number minus atomic number.
Interview questions
- Explain what is the same and what is different about two isotopes of an element.
- Same number of protons
- Same number of electrons when neutral
- Different number of neutrons
- Different mass number
Questions people ask
What do neutrons do in an atom?
Neutrons add mass and help hold the nucleus together. Protons all have positive charge and push each other apart, so neutrons act like a buffer. Too many or too few neutrons can make a nucleus unstable, which is why some isotopes are radioactive.
Do all atoms have neutrons?
Almost all do. The most common type of hydrogen atom is the exception, with one proton, one electron and no neutrons. Every other atom has at least one neutron in the nucleus. Heavier atoms usually have more neutrons than protons.