Neutrons need not be confined to the nuclei of atoms. They can exist all by themselves. When neutrons are found outside atomic nuclei, they acquire fascinating, bizarre, and potentially dangerous properties. When they travel at high speed, they produce deadly radiation. The so-called neutron bomb, known for its ability to kill people and animals while having a minimal effect on inanimate physical structures, works by producing a barrage of high-speed neutrons. The high density of these particles, combined with their speed, gives them extreme energy. As a result, they have the power to alter, or even break apart, the nuclei of atoms that they strike.
