Name the physicist who is credited with the discovery of the Neutron. This 1932 discovery led to his winning the Nobel Prize.

James Chadwick

The correct answer is Option (2) - James Chadwick

James Chadwick, a British physicist, is credited with the discovery of the neutron in 1932. Neutrons are subatomic particles with no electrical charge, found within the nucleus of atoms alongside protons. Chadwick's discovery of the neutron was a significant breakthrough in the field of nuclear physics, providing crucial insights into the structure of the atom and the nature of nuclear interactions.

Chadwick's discovery came as a result of his experiments involving the bombardment of beryllium with alpha particles (helium nuclei) emitted from a radioactive source. Through careful analysis of the particles produced in these collisions, Chadwick observed a previously unknown type of radiation that was highly penetrating and lacked an electric charge. He concluded that this radiation consisted of neutral particles with a mass similar to that of a proton. These neutral particles were later named "neutrons" by Chadwick.

The discovery of the neutron had profound implications for the understanding of nuclear physics and led to significant advances in various fields, including nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, and particle physics. Neutrons play a crucial role in nuclear reactions and are utilized in various scientific and technological applications, such as nuclear power generation, neutron scattering experiments, and cancer treatment using neutron therapy.

For his pioneering work on the discovery of the neutron, James Chadwick was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1935. His discovery revolutionized the understanding of the atomic nucleus and laid the foundation for further developments in nuclear science and technology in the decades that followed.