Wikijunior:The Elements/Strange Element
The mysterious element not listed on any periodic table.
How does it look? How does it smell, how does it taste? edit
Individual neutrons cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.
Since neutrons do not attract each other, there are no clumps of neutrons on Earth. It is therefore not surprising that neutrons are not listed in the periodic table of the elements.
But there are stars made of this element.
How was it discovered? edit
Walther Bothe and Herbert Becker produced this elementary particle in 1930 and verified it with a measuring instrument. But they didn't realize what they had discovered. It wasn't until two years later that James Chadwick found out what kind of particle it was and called it a neutron.The average lifespan of individual free neutrons is just under 15 minutes?
Where does the name come from? edit
The neutron was so named because it is electrically neutral. It has the symbol n. As an element, it is also called neutronium.
Where is it found? edit
One produces single neutrons in nuclear reactors.
Astronomers have captured images of stars made up only of neutrons.
What possible uses are there? edit
Neutrons are used in radiation therapy. Neutrons play an important role in nuclear fission.
Is it dangerous? edit
Yes! Neutron radiation is the most dangerous type of radioactive radiation.
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radioactive