Neutron - GCSE Physics Definition

A neutron is a tiny particle found in the centre of an atom, called the nucleus, along with protons. Unlike protons, which have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, which is why they are called neutrons as they are neutral. Neutrons play an important role in keeping the nucleus stable, as they help balance the forces between the positively-charged protons. In chemical symbols, they are represented with the letter 'n'. Neutrons and protons together are called nucleons. Studying neutrons helps us understand things like radioactivity and nuclear reactions, which are part of the GCSE Physics syllabus.