Question
The neutron was discovered by
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 3: Chadwick
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Chadwick.
Neutron was inevitable from Rutherford's experiment that there must be a neutral, sub-atomic particle with a mass closely equal to protons. James Chadwick in 1932 discovered the neutrons.
- Location: Neutrons are located in the nucleus along with the protons.
- Mass: Along with protons, they make up almost all of the mass of the nucleus as well as atoms.
- Charge: Neutrons are electrically neutral.
- Atomic mass: The total number of protons and neutrons is called the mass number or Atomic mass.
- Isotopes: The variation of neutron number in an element determines the isotope of an atom.
- The ratio of the number of protons and neutrons affects the stability of any element.
- Some isotopes are stable, some are unstable (radioactive).
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates
Last updated on July, 2026