Sir James Chadwick, an English physicist, discovered neutrons in 1932.
The Discovery of the Neutron
Before 1932, the understanding of the atom was limited. It was known that atoms had:
- A positively charged nucleus.
- Negatively charged electrons surrounding the nucleus.
- Enough electrons to make the atom electrically neutral.
However, the existence of a neutral particle within the nucleus, the neutron, was not yet known. It was Sir James Chadwick who was credited with discovering this vital component. This discovery dramatically changed our understanding of atomic structure.
Here is a summary table of the discovery:
| Scientist | Discovery | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Sir James Chadwick | Neutron | 1932 |
This table clearly shows that Sir James Chadwick made the breakthrough discovery.
