Who discovered the fundamental subatomic particle neutron?
Open in App
Solution
Neutron was discovered by English physicist, Sir James Chadwick by bombarding alpha particles on a thin sheet of beryllium.
Chadwick's experiment
A Series of experiments conducted by Chadwick were successful in disintegrating light elements using alpha particles from polonium.
He allowed a thin sheet of beryllium to absorb alpha particles. The radiation produced was aimed at paraffin wax to obtain dense protons.
During this, the scientist discovered uncharged particles with the approximate mass of protons, these particles neutrons.
Neutrons, because of no charge penetrated more through the target than protons. This experiment was also proven using helium, lithium, and nitrogen targets.