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Questions and Answers
Which particle did Rutherford predict to be present in an atom in 1920?
Which particle did Rutherford predict to be present in an atom in 1920?
What did Chadwick discover in 1932 when he bombarded alpha particles on a beryllium target?
What did Chadwick discover in 1932 when he bombarded alpha particles on a beryllium target?
Which of the following properties is true for neutrons?
Which of the following properties is true for neutrons?
What is the mass of a neutron compared to the mass of a proton?
What is the mass of a neutron compared to the mass of a proton?
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Which particle's mass could not explain the atomic mass of an element according to Rutherford's observations?
Which particle's mass could not explain the atomic mass of an element according to Rutherford's observations?
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Study Notes
Rutherford's Prediction
- In 1920, Ernest Rutherford predicted the existence of a neutral particle within the atom, which he called the neutron.
Chadwick's Discovery
- In 1932, James Chadwick experimentally confirmed Rutherford's prediction.
- Chadwick bombarded a beryllium target with alpha particles, resulting in the emission of a neutral, highly penetrating radiation.
- This neutral radiation was later identified as neutrons.
Neutron Properties
- Neutrons are neutral particles, carrying no electrical charge.
- The mass of a neutron is approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu), slightly heavier than a proton.
Mass Discrepancy
- Rutherford's observations showed that the atomic mass of an element was significantly greater than the combined mass of its protons, suggesting the presence of another particle.
- The mass of the proton alone could not account for the total mass of an atom, leading to the prediction and discovery of the neutron.
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Description
The Discovery of the Neutron: Test your knowledge on the groundbreaking discovery of the neutron by Chadwick and its importance in explaining atomic mass. Learn about Rutherford's prediction and the experiments that led to the identification of this neutral particle.
