Isotopes — The number of neutrons in an atom can vary. If two atoms have the same number of protons, they will still have the same chemical behavior even though the number of neutrons may differ. They are the same type of atom. We call them isotopes, meaning “same type.” The usual way of showing the difference between isotopes is to show the chemical symbol with the number of protons below and the total number of protons and neutrons written above. The number of neutrons could be determined by subtracting the number of protons from the total.

Radiation — In some atoms, the balance of neutrons and protons is not stable and the nucleus contains excess energy. The nucleus can release some of this energy by emitting either a bundle of 2 protons and 2 neutrons called an alpha particle, an e

Breeder reactors work best with “fast” neutrons. They use other moderators such as graphite or molten sodium that absorb some of the neutron’s energy without slowing them down too much. These moderators introduce significant design problems compared to water.

lectron called a beta particle, a photon similar to an X-ray called a gamma ray, or a simple neutron.

Neutrons Can Decay — Neutrons can split into a proton, an electron, and an anti-neutrino. (There are many more parts to a nucleus than just a proton and a neutron.)

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