Can a Hydrogen Atom Decay Into a Neutron?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of a hydrogen atom decaying into a neutron, exploring concepts related to particle decay, weak interactions, and energy considerations. Participants reflect on their understanding of particle physics and the behavior of subatomic particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls that neutrons have a half-life of about 10 minutes and questions whether a hydrogen atom can decay into a neutron, suggesting a potential connection between the electron's behavior and the proton.
  • Another participant clarifies that a neutron decays into a proton, electron, and antineutrino via the weak interaction, emphasizing that this process is not due to the neutron containing a proton and electron.
  • A follow-up question is posed regarding what prevents the reverse process from occurring.
  • One participant speculates whether entropy plays a role in the inability of the process to run in reverse.
  • Another participant suggests that the reason the reverse process does not happen is due to insufficient energy, indicating that weak decay is energetically favorable while the inverse process is not.
  • A request for information on the specific energy required for the reverse process is made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms of particle decay and the energy considerations involved, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus on the possibility of hydrogen decay into a neutron.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as the weak interaction and energy dynamics but do not provide specific values or detailed calculations regarding energy requirements, leaving some assumptions and dependencies unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying particle physics, particularly in understanding decay processes and the interactions between fundamental particles.

jackle
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A long time ago, when I did my degree I was taught that Neutrons have a half life of (about 10 minutes?). I also remember that the elementry particle equation was:

N <-> P+e.

Now, a proton plus an electron could look a lot like a hydrogen atom and I also remember that the electron in a hydrogen atom at it's lowest allowed energy does a figure 8 through the nucleus with a node in it's centre. The proton has a small radius, I know, but it seems like the electron would occasionally be in the proton? I am also thinking of the energy being negotiable because of the HUP.

Now I am probably sounding confused.

The question I would like to ask is:

Is there a probability (perhaps a very small one) that a hydrogen atom can decay into a neutron? Why/Why not?
 
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It works the other way around. A neutron can decay into a proton and an electron, plus an antineutrino, via the weak interaction. But that's not because the neutron has the proton and electron inside it; it's because the weak force can turn one kind of quark into another, and conservation of charge has to be satisfied in the cheapest way possible.
 
Yeah, I think they taught me that, it was just too long ago.

What stops the process happening in reverse?
 
Happy birthday by the way. I just noticed!
 
err, so is it an entropy thing then?
 
jackle said:
Happy birthday by the way. I just noticed!

Thank you.

The reason it doesn't run in reverse is that there isn't enough energy. The weak decay is energetically downhill,and inverse weak decay is uphill.
 
Any idea how much energy?
 

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