Neutrons are more effective projectiles than protons because they

Options

A. Are attracted by the nuclei
B. Are not repelled by the nuclei
C. Travel with high speed
D. None of these

Explanation

To solve the question of why neutrons are more effective projectiles than protons, we can break it down into a few key points:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Nucleons**:
- Both neutrons and protons are found in the nucleus and are collectively referred to as nucleons.

2. **Charge Characteristics**:
- Neutrons are neutral particles, meaning they have no electric charge. In contrast, protons are positively charged.

3. **Electrostatic Forces**:
- Because neutrons are neutral, they do not experience electrostatic repulsion from the positively charged protons in the nucleus. Protons, on the other hand, would face repulsion when approaching a nucleus due to the electrostatic force between like charges.

4. **Interaction with the Nucleus**:
- Since neutrons are not repelled by the nucleus, they can penetrate the nucleus more effectively than protons. This makes them more effective projectiles in nuclear reactions.

5. **Kinetic Energy Consideration**:
- Neutrons generally have lower kinetic energy compared to protons. This lower energy can be advantageous in certain nuclear reactions, allowing for better interaction with the nucleus without being deflected.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the main reasons why neutrons are more effective projectiles than protons are their neutral charge, which allows them to avoid electrostatic repulsion, and their ability to penetrate the nucleus more effectively.

### Final Answer:
Neutrons are more effective projectiles than protons because they are neutral particles and are not subjected to electrostatic repulsion from the positively charged nucleus.