Free Neutron Article Index for
Free
Website Links For
Free
 

Information About

Free Neutron





Isotope| Information

  Background #ffcccc
  Text Color red
  Isotope Name Free neutron
  Isotope Filename free_neutronpng
  Alternate Names free neutron
  Mass Number 1
  Symbol n
  Num Neutrons 1
  Num Protons 0
  Abundance Synthetic
  Halflife 886 &plusmn 2 Second s
  Decay Mode1 Beta Emission
  Decay Energy1 0782353
  Decay Mode2
  Decay Mode3
  Decay Mode4
  Decay Energy2
  Decay Energy3
  Decay Energy4
  Decay Product Proton , Electron , Antineutrino
  Mass 10086649
  Spin 1/2+
  Excess Energy 8071323
  Error1 0002
  Binding Energy 0000
  Error2 0000


A free neutron is a Neutron that exists outside of an Atomic Nucleus . While neutrons can be stable when bound inside nuclei, free neutrons are unstable and Decay with a Half-life of just under 15 minutes. Particles inside the nucleus are typically resonances between neutrons and protons, which transform into one another by the emission and absorption of Pions . The only possible decay mode is into a Proton , an Electron , and an Electron Antineutrino , the proton and electron forming a Hydrogen atom:

:\hbox{n} o\hbox{p}+\hbox{e}^-+\overline{
u}_{\mathrm{e}}

Even though it is not a Chemical Element , the free neutron is often included in tables of isotopes. It is then considered to have an Atomic Number of zero and a Mass Number of one.

Nuclear Reactor s are designed to produce free neutrons in copious amounts; their role is to sustain the energy-producing Chain Reaction . The intense Neutron Radiation is also used to produce various radioisotopes through the process of Neutron Activation .


SEE ALSO



  lighter Nothing
  heavier Dineutron
  before Many Nuclear Reactions
  after Hydrogen-1