Why do alpha particles cause neutrons to be released from beryllium?

Tamoor
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First of this is not an homework question but just a bit of a theory i am having a bit of difficulty understanding. Secundly, hello!

James Chadwick discovered neutrons by sending alpha-particles from a radioactive source to a beryllium-plate, and that plate then sent out neutrons.

I don't understand, how sending alpha-particles can make the beryllium-plate (or any object) send out neutrons.

So if anyone would be so helpful as to tell me why this happens, i will be grateful
 
Physics news on Phys.org
An alpha particle (2n 2p) hitting Berylium (5n 4p) gives you carbon (6n 6p) and a spare neutron.

There's a movie of it here http://www-outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/camphy/neutron/neutron5_1.htm
 

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