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Clever Penguin
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Is it possible for an atom to emit a neutron or a proton?
e.bar.goum said:In short, yes.
Now, when you produce nuclei via fusion, you tend to produce them with high excitation where their level densities are very high - these are called "hot compound nuclei". Nuclei in this state will release energy by evaporating one or more nucleons. Heavy compound nuclei emit neutrons, and light compound nuclei will also emit protons and other charged particles (e.g. alphas).
Atom emission is the process by which an atom releases energy in the form of particles or electromagnetic radiation. This can occur naturally or through artificial means, such as in nuclear reactions.
A neutron is a subatomic particle with no net electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atom. It has a mass slightly larger than that of a proton and is responsible for the stability of the nucleus.
A proton is a positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. It has a mass slightly less than that of a neutron and is responsible for the atomic number and chemical properties of an atom.
Neutrons and protons are both involved in the process of atom emission. When an atom emits energy, it can do so by releasing neutrons or protons from its nucleus, or by emitting electromagnetic radiation from the movement of these particles.
Yes, neutrons or protons can be added or removed from an atom through the process of emission. This can occur naturally in radioactive decay or through artificial means such as particle accelerators and nuclear reactions.