Proton=positron+neutron. what about law of conservation of mass?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of β+ decay and how it relates to the law of conservation of mass and energy. It is noted that this decay requires energy as the mass of the products is greater than the mass of the reactants. The conversation also mentions that this energy may come from an external source, such as the rest of the nucleus.
  • #1
vkash
318
1
neutron weighs higher than proton and you add a mass of positron which is around equal to to electron. so mass in right had side is much larger than that is LHS so is it disobeying Law of conservation of mass?
if it disobeys it and follow law of conservation of mass and energy.(E=mc2) then it doesn't seems to form any bond which causes release of energy and cause this extra mass.
 
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  • #2
A proton is not composed of a positron and a neutron. I think that you are thinking of β+ decay where a proton can gain energy and decay into a neutron, positron, and neutrino. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_decay#.CE.B2.2B_decay

Note that β+ decay requires energy for exactly the reason you mention, the mass of the products is greater than the mass of the reactants.
 
  • #3
DaleSpam said:
A proton is not composed of a positron and a neutron. I think that you are thinking of β+ decay where a proton can gain energy and decay into a neutron, positron, and neutrino. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_decay#.CE.B2.2B_decay

Note that β+ decay requires energy for exactly the reason you mention, the mass of the products is greater than the mass of the reactants.

A i have said it does not seem to form an new bond so is this energy given by external source?
 
  • #4
Yes, the external source being the rest of the nucleus containing the decaying proton. See the last two sentences of the section I referenced above.
 
  • #5
DaleSpam said:
Yes, the external source being the rest of the nucleus containing the decaying proton. See the last two sentences of the section I referenced above.

thanks DaleSpam for your help.
 

1. What is the equation for proton=positron+neutron?

The equation for proton=positron+neutron is a simplified representation of the process of beta decay, in which a proton decays into a positron and a neutron. The equation can also be written as p = e+ + n, where 'p' represents a proton, 'e+' represents a positron, and 'n' represents a neutron.

2. Is the equation proton=positron+neutron true for all reactions involving protons?

No, the equation proton=positron+neutron is only applicable in the specific process of beta decay, where a proton transforms into a positron and a neutron. In other reactions involving protons, different equations may be used depending on the specific elements and particles involved.

3. How does the equation proton=positron+neutron align with the law of conservation of mass?

The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. In the equation proton=positron+neutron, the total mass of the particles on the left side (proton) is equal to the total mass of the particles on the right side (positron and neutron). Therefore, the equation aligns with the law of conservation of mass.

4. Can the equation proton=positron+neutron be reversed?

Yes, the equation can be reversed to represent the process of positron emission, in which a positron decays into a proton and a neutron. The equation for this process would be e+ = p + n. However, it is important to note that beta decay and positron emission are two different processes and cannot be interchanged.

5. Are there any exceptions to the equation proton=positron+neutron?

Yes, there are a few rare exceptions to this equation, such as in the case of proton capture, where a free proton is captured by a nucleus to form a heavier element. In this case, the equation would be written as p + n = e+ instead of the usual proton=positron+neutron equation. However, these exceptions are not common and do not affect the overall validity of the equation.

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