Which statement best explains why nuclear transmutations involving neutrons are generally easier to accomplish than those involving protons or alpha particles? (a) Neutrons are not a magic number particle. (b) Neutrons do not have an electrical charge. (c) Neutrons are smaller than protons or alpha particles. (d) Neutrons are attracted to the nucleus even at long distances, whereas protons and alpha particles are repelled.

Nuclear transmutations are processes when one chemical element transforms into another one by changing the structure of the nucleus. This usually involves interactions with other particles such as protons, neutrons, or alpha particles.

Neutrons do not have an electrical charge, while protons have a positive charge and alpha particles have a positive charge of +2 (since they consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons). The electromagnetic force between the particles and the nucleus plays a significant role in nuclear transmutations. The absence of an electrical charge in neutrons eliminates the repulsive force, making it easier for neutrons to interact with the nucleus.

Let's go through the given options: (a) Neutrons are not a magic number particle: This statement is not relevant to the ease of accomplishment in nuclear transmutations involving neutrons, compared to protons or alpha particles. (b) Neutrons do not have an electrical charge: As discussed in step 2, this difference creates an advantage for neutrons in nuclear transmutations, as there's no repulsive force to overcome. (c) Neutrons are smaller than protons or alpha particles: Neutrons and protons are roughly similar in size, while alpha particles are larger (composed of 2 protons and 2 neutrons). However, the size difference isn't the main reason why nuclear transmutations involving neutrons are easier to accomplish. (d) Neutrons are attracted to the nucleus even at long distances, whereas protons and alpha particles are repelled: This statement is misleading because nuclear forces have short-range interactions. Neutrons are not attracted to the nucleus at long distances, but they don't have a repulsive force like protons and alpha particles due to the absence of an electric charge.

Based on our analysis, the statement that best explains why nuclear transmutations involving neutrons are generally easier to accomplish than those involving protons or alpha particles is: (b) Neutrons do not have an electrical charge.