What experiment, conducted by James Chadwick in 1932, led to the discovery of a new particle that revolutionized our understanding of the atom?

Discovery of the neutron

James Chadwick conducted a series of experiments in 1932 that led him to discover the neutron, a particle with no electric charge present in the atom's nucleus. This discovery was crucial for nuclear physics, as it helped explain why atoms do not disintegrate under the effect of the electric repulsion between protons. Understanding the neutron also paved the way for nuclear fission, with applications ranging from energy production to medicine. Chadwick's discovery of the neutron not only deepened our understanding of atomic structure but also had profound implications for technology and society.