Neutrons are really important for keeping atoms stable. They are neutral particles, which means they don't have a charge, and they are found in the nucleus along with protons, which are positively charged. Here’s how neutrons help:
Balancing Charge: Protons push away from each other because they are all positively charged. Neutrons help to balance this out, so the nucleus can stay together.
Stability of Heavy Elements: Some heavier elements, like uranium, need extra neutrons to stay stable. For example, uranium-238 has 146 neutrons to go along with its 92 protons.
Isotopes: Atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons are called isotopes. Some of these isotopes are stable, while others can break down and are called radioactive. This shows just how important neutrons are for the structure of atoms.
By learning about neutrons, we can understand why some elements are stable, while others are not!
Neutrons are really important for keeping atoms stable. They are neutral particles, which means they don't have a charge, and they are found in the nucleus along with protons, which are positively charged. Here’s how neutrons help:
Balancing Charge: Protons push away from each other because they are all positively charged. Neutrons help to balance this out, so the nucleus can stay together.
Stability of Heavy Elements: Some heavier elements, like uranium, need extra neutrons to stay stable. For example, uranium-238 has 146 neutrons to go along with its 92 protons.
Isotopes: Atoms that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons are called isotopes. Some of these isotopes are stable, while others can break down and are called radioactive. This shows just how important neutrons are for the structure of atoms.
By learning about neutrons, we can understand why some elements are stable, while others are not!