question on star physics

[skywolf]

when a star collapses into a neutron star, its protons merge with its electrons right?, if so, isnt there one more "ingredient", where does that come from?

[zefram_c]

Maybe you're thinking of neutrinos in the reaction p + e -> n + v ? In that case, the neutrinos are created in the interaction and escape the neutron star.

PS. There's a "Stellar Astrophysics" forum where such questions should go.