What is the difference between neutrons and neutrinos?

Question

Leah Angelini · Accepted Answer

Neutrons are large and made out of multiple other particles and form part of the atomic nucleus, while neutrinos are tiny, single particles with almost no effect.

Neutrons and neutrinos are distinct particles in almost all respects, with the exception that they both lack a (neutral) charge. Neutrons are a type of nucleon, meaning they are found in the nucleus. They are also a baryon, since they are composed of three quarks: one up and two down. The neutron has a total charge of #0#, and a mass of just over #1# atomic mass unit, or about #1.675*10^-27kg#, which is quite large as far as particle physics is concerned. Since neutrinos have no charge, very little mass, and are primarily affected by the weak nuclear force, billions of them pass through us in seconds with very little impact. Neutrinos are more akin to the electron and are a fundamental particle on their own.

Joseph Allen · Answer

undefined While neutrinos are neutral elementary particles created in a variety of nuclear processes and infrequently interact with matter, neutrons are subatomic particles without an electric charge that are found in atomic nuclei.