Neutron number refers to the total count of neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom. It plays a crucial role in determining the stability and identity of isotopes, which are atoms of the same element that differ in their neutron count. Understanding neutron number helps explain the nuclear mass and charge characteristics of an atom, as well as its placement on the chart of nuclides, where stable and unstable isotopes are categorized based on their neutron-to-proton ratios.
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