A proton has a mass that is how many times greater than that of a neutron?

The correct answer highlights an important concept in nuclear physics regarding the mass of protons and neutrons. Protons and neutrons are both nucleons, which means they are found in the nucleus of an atom.

However, when considering their masses, a proton is about 1.0006 times heavier than a neutron. This slight difference is due to the different numbers of quarks that compose them and the interactions of these quarks, which lead to slightly different mass values. The proton consists of two up quarks and one down quark, while the neutron contains one up quark and two down quarks. The mass of a proton is approximately 1.6726 x 10^-27 kg, while that of a neutron is about 1.6750 x 10^-27 kg.

The notion that the proton is approximately 1,836 times greater in mass refers to the comparative mass of protons and electrons, not neutrons. Therefore, it's important to differentiate between these masses to avoid confusion in understanding the fundamental particle composition of atoms. This distinction aligns with the physics governing atomic structure and provides insight into the forces at work in nuclear stability and reactions.