Definition of Neutron Capture

Nature's natural elements hold individual atomic structures made up of proton, electron and neutron particles. The arrangements of these particles determine each element's identity. Neutron capture takes place when an extra neutron enters the nucleus of an atom. This event typically takes place inside a laboratory and is performed within material analysis procedures.

Identification

• The field of nuclear physics examines the different atomic structures and how they interact with each other. To do this, scientists often manipulate the different components that make up an atom's structure. Neutron capture methods work to alter an element's basic atomic structure and so transform it into a new element according to Kansas State University. When this happens, an isotope of the original element is formed. An isotope is considered to be an unstable structure, and typically decays by releasing radioactive waves.

Function

• Neutron capture is one of the many steps involved in neutron activation analysis, according to the American Nuclear Society. Neutron activation analysis enables scientists to identify the different elements contained inside a material sample. Each element is identified by the amount of radiation let off when neutron capture takes place within the structure of an atom. As each individual element has its own unique chemical-physical signature, the amount of radiation released during neutron capture is one of the markers scientists use to identify individual elements.

Features

• Of the three particles that make up an atom---protons, electrons and neutrons---neutrons are the only ones that carry little to no charge within the atomic structure, according to Kansas State University. As protons hold a positive charge and electrons hold a negative charge, these two components work to hold an atom's structure together through attraction forces. As neutrons carry no charge, they can be implanted within the nucleus of an atom without changing its chemical structure; however, the physical structure does undergo change when neutron capture takes place.

Radiation

• When an atom captures a new neutron, the resulting isotope is heavier than the original atom. Within the process of capturing a neutron, the nucleus of an atom releases energy in the form of radiation, according to the American Nuclear Society. Radiation waves indicate the isotope is decaying and will eventually transform into a new form of the original atom. Within neutron activation analysis, a sample may contain several different elements. This decay process enables scientists to identify each element contained in a sample by the amount of radiation each atom gives off.

Isotopes

• Isotopes are atoms that contain an excess number of neutrons. Their tendency to be unstable results from the uneven number of neutrons versus protons within an atom's nucleus. As protons are charged particles, they tend to repel one another. The presence of an equal number of neutrons works to absorb proton repulsion forces and stabilize an atom's nucleus. Neutron capture methods produce many of the known nuclear materials like uranium and plutonium. According to the American Nuclear Society, naturally occurring isotopes only occur within 10 percent of the known physical elements.