C
csmyth3025
Guest
We all accept the notion that a hydrogen atom consists of a lone proton "orbited" by an electron and that an atom of deuterium consists of a proton and a neutron "stuck together" in the nucleus. Likewise, the nuclei of heavier elements and isotopes are a combination of protons and neutrons.
I'm sure there are sound reasons why two neutrons don't "stick together" in the same way that a neutron and a proton does in the nucleus of deuterium. I haven't been able to find an explanation for this in laymans terms. Can anyone enlighten me on this?
It seems obvious that a purely neutron "nucleus" would not be capable of forming an atom since such a nucleus would have no charge, so I'm guessing that there is a rule of sub-atomic particles that prohibits neutrons from "sticking together" (except, perhaps, within the confines of a neutron star - which relies on the crushing force of gravity rather than the binding energy of the strong nuclear force).
Chris
I'm sure there are sound reasons why two neutrons don't "stick together" in the same way that a neutron and a proton does in the nucleus of deuterium. I haven't been able to find an explanation for this in laymans terms. Can anyone enlighten me on this?
It seems obvious that a purely neutron "nucleus" would not be capable of forming an atom since such a nucleus would have no charge, so I'm guessing that there is a rule of sub-atomic particles that prohibits neutrons from "sticking together" (except, perhaps, within the confines of a neutron star - which relies on the crushing force of gravity rather than the binding energy of the strong nuclear force).
Chris