Are Atoms Lopsided in Weight Based on Neutron and Proton Placement?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mcjosep
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atoms Weight
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the placement of neutrons and protons within an atom, specifically questioning whether their arrangement leads to any lopsidedness in weight and if this can be determined from polarity. The scope includes conceptual understanding of atomic structure and the behavior of nucleons within the nucleus.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the specific placement of neutrons and protons within an atom and whether this affects weight distribution.
  • Another participant asserts that neutrons and protons are located near the middle of the atom.
  • A third participant clarifies that neutrons and protons occupy the nucleus, while electrons form orbitals around it.
  • A later reply suggests that the placement of nucleons is not fixed and that they move relative to each other, similar to how electrons orbit the nucleus, indicating a lack of definite boundaries for the nucleus or the atom.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present varying perspectives on the placement and behavior of nucleons, with no consensus reached on whether this leads to any lopsidedness in weight or how polarity might relate to this issue.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the fixed positions of nucleons and the implications of their movement within the nucleus, as well as the definitions of boundaries for the nucleus and atom.

mcjosep
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Just curious if we know what the placement of neutrons and protons are within an atom? Is one side heavier, can we determine this from polarity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The neutrons and protons are near the middle.
 
The placement of neutrons and protons is not fixed within the nucleus. Nucleons move relative to each other inside the nucleus (which is near the middle) much the way electrons orbit the nucleus while remaining inside the atom. There is no definite boundary for either the nucleus or the atom as a whole. There are only locations where you will probably find the particles.
 

Similar threads

High School Can a hydrogen atom become a neutron?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
High School How Does Inclined Load Affect Weight Distribution When Moving a Cabinet?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School The Effect of Binding Energy on Mass
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Average velocity as a weighted mean
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Undergrad Can proton/neutron decay be avoided in some conditions?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
High School About actually touching something and sound made by collision
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Can a hypothetical atom be made out of positrons and electrons ?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
High School What is my apparent weight in water?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
High School Why does friction decrease with repeated force application?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Calculating the weight of 1 atomic mass unit
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
8K