What is the relative mass of a neutron compared to a proton?

The relative mass of a neutron compared to a proton is such that both particles are considered to have nearly equal masses. Neutrons and protons are both nucleons, which are found in the nucleus of an atom, and they have very similar mass values: about 1.675 x 10^-27 kg for a neutron and approximately 1.673 x 10^-27 kg for a proton. This means that the difference in their masses is negligible for most practical purposes in chemistry and atomic theory. Therefore, it is accurate to state that a neutron has a mass that is effectively equal to that of a proton.

Understanding this relationship is essential in various concepts such as atomic mass, nuclear stability, and reactions involving nuclear particles, where calculating or considering the differences in their masses may become relevant, but for basic comparisons and calculations, treating them as having equal masses simplifies understanding and calculations in atomic physics.