The discussion revolves around the question of whether neutrons can cause ionization by knocking electrons off atoms. Participants explore the mechanisms of neutron interactions with atomic nuclei and the implications for ionization and stability of isotopes.
Participants express disagreement regarding the role of neutrons in ionization, with some asserting that neutrons do not directly cause ionization while others explore the indirect effects of neutron interactions with atomic nuclei.
Some claims depend on the definitions of ionization and the specific interactions of neutrons with atomic nuclei, which remain unresolved in the discussion.
k9b4 said:Why and how does a neutron knock electrons off of atoms?
k9b4 said:Why and how does a neutron knock electrons off of atoms?
Is it because a neutron is not exactly neutral? Is a neutron composed of smaller charged particles which interact with the electrons when it gets close?
SorryNugatory said:As with all questions of this sort, you will get better answers if you spend some time searching the web first, see what you find, then come back here with more specific questions based on what you learn there.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/very-little-excuse-to-ask-a-question-cold.765735/
Yes, I looked at the wikipedia article and I see that neutrons cause ionization by causing the nucleus to become unstable.nikkkom said:It does not.
Neutron can knock out _protons_ out of atomic nuclei.
And neutron can be absorbed by a nucleus. In many cases resultant heavier isotope is unstable to beta-decay.