Can a neutron star withstand a bombardment of neutrons?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the potential consequences of firing a neutron at neutronium, a hypothetical substance consisting of densely packed neutrons. It is uncertain whether the neutron would become a part of the neutronium or shatter it, and there is no observational evidence for the existence of neutronium. The concept of "neutron capture" is also mentioned, but it is unclear if it would apply to neutronium. The conversation also notes that neutron stars are the only known environment where a large number of neutrons can exist in a stable state, and any excess neutrons would decay.
  • #1
FeDeX_LaTeX
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What would happen if you fired a neutron at neutronium? Would it become apart of the neutronium substance of would it shatter the neutronium substance if the velocity of the neutron particle were quick enough?

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F.L.
 
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  • #2
Or would it result in a great deal of energy being released, proportional to the statistics of the neutronium substance?
 
  • #3
According to wikipedia there doesn't seem to be any observational evidence for it. At least if it refers to bound states of a few neutrons.

A phenomenon called "neutron capture" can occur when a neutron collides with a nucleus:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_capture

I have no idea if the theory behind neutron capture would be able to give an indication if neutron capture is possible to the hypothetical "neutronium".

Torquil
 
  • #4
So neutronium is hypothetical? i.e. we have not seen any observable masses of neutronium in space?
 
  • #5
The interior of neutron stars is the only environment where a vast number of neutrons is stable. Small amount decay into protons and electrons because that state has less energy. I assume that if you shoot neutrons on a neutron star they are just absorbed, unless you shoot so many on them that the neutron star collapses into a black hole.
 

1. What is neutronium?

Neutronium is a hypothetical substance made up of densely packed neutrons, with no protons or electrons. It is believed to be the core of neutron stars.

2. Why do scientists fire neutrons at neutronium?

Scientists fire neutrons at neutronium to study its properties and behavior. This can provide insights into the structure and composition of neutron stars, as well as help us understand the fundamental properties of matter.

3. How are neutrons fired at neutronium?

Neutrons are typically fired at neutronium using particle accelerators, which accelerate the neutrons to high speeds before colliding them with the neutronium sample.

4. What happens when neutrons are fired at neutronium?

When neutrons are fired at neutronium, they can cause the neutrons in the neutronium to undergo nuclear reactions, releasing energy and potentially changing the composition of the neutronium sample. This can also create new particles, such as protons, and provide valuable information about the properties of neutronium.

5. What are the potential applications of firing neutrons at neutronium?

Firing neutrons at neutronium can help us better understand the extreme conditions inside neutron stars and the behavior of subatomic particles. This knowledge can have applications in fields such as astrophysics, nuclear physics, and materials science. It may also lead to advancements in technologies such as nuclear energy and medical imaging.

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