Neutrality - Definition and Overview

Neutral means balanced between two or more opposites. The term has many uses in science and otherwise.

• In physics, a neutral particle or object has zero electric charge. An atom with a positive or negative charge is called an ion.
• In chemistry, a neutral solution is neither acidic nor basic and has a pH of 7.
• In politics, a neutral country takes no side in a conflict between other parties. In return, it hopes to avoid being attacked by either of them.
• Neutral alignment in role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons.
• In semiotics the neutral level is the "trace" left behind, the physical or material creation of esthesic and poietic, productive or creative and receptive or perceptive, processes.
• In mains wiring, neutral has two subtly different meanings. The first meaning refers to a current-carrying core that is tied to a grounding point. The second refers to a core that acts as a common for several phase cores.
• In language study, neutral is an adjective used for the neuter noun gender, as well as for the gender-neutral language.
• In economics, the question of neutrality of money is whether money supply affects the real economy.

Other uses

• The Neutral, a group of Native Americans.

See also

• Wikipedia:Neutral point of view.