neutron

neutron /neu·tron/ (noo´tron) an electrically neutral or uncharged particle of matter existing along with protons in the nucleus of atoms of all elements except the mass 1 isotope of hydrogen. Symbol n.

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neu·tron (ntrn)

n.

An electrically neutral subatomic particle in the baryon family, having a mass 1,839 times that of the electron, stable when bound in an atomic nucleus, and having a mean lifetime of approximately 1.0×10³ seconds as a free particle. It and the proton form nearly the entire mass of atomic nuclei.

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neutron

[n(y)o̅o̅′tron]

Etymology: L, neuter, neither; Gk, elektron, amber

(in physics) an elementary particle that is a constituent of the nuclei of all elements except the isotopic form of hydrogen ¹H. It has no electric charge and has approximately the same mass as a proton. Compare electron, proton. See also atom.

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neutron (nōōˑ·trn),

n the neutral subatomic particle located within the nucleus of an atom. Its mass is equivalent to that of a proton.

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neutron (noo´tron),

n an elementary particle with approximately the mass of a hydrogen atom but without any electrical charge; one of the constituents of the atomic nucleus.

neutron activation analysis,

n an activation analysis in which the specimen is bombarded with neutrons. Identification is made by measuring the resulting radioisotopes.

neutron ray,

n See ray, neutron.

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neutron

an electrically neutral or uncharged particle of matter existing along with protons in the atoms of all elements except the mass 1 isotope of hydrogen.