Proton decay [was: Are atoms 'perpetual machines'?]

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SUMMARY

Proton decay remains a theoretical concept in particle physics, with no experimental evidence confirming its occurrence. Current theories suggest that if protons do decay, they would transform into a positron and a neutral pion, which subsequently decays into two gamma ray photons. The debate centers around whether protons decay at all or possess an extremely long half-life, with various decay scenarios proposed in scientific literature.

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ice109
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don't all atoms decay? don't even protons decay?
 
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To my knowledge, a proton decay has never been observed, and the two theories are either "They do not decay" or "They decay, but have a very long half-life".

V
 


If protons are to decay, what do they decay to?
 


One theory suggests that a proton, if it decays at all, decays into a positron and a neutral pion that itself then decays into 2 gamma ray photons. And apparently, other decay scenarios are possible. I read that in WiKi, but not sure how accurate I translated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_decay
 

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