Difference between nuetrals and neutrons

[rollcast]

What is the difference between the particle formed by the combining of a proton and a neutron and a neutron?

 

[mathman]

proton + neutron is H2 nucleus.

 

[rollcast]

Wait a second meant proton and electron combining

 

[mathman]

Proton + electron = hydrogen atom. If you supply energy you might be able to force them to combine into a neutron (neutrinos have to get involved for conservation reasons).

The usual reaction goes the other way. A free neutron decays into a proton + electron + neutrino.

 

[Drakkith]

As mathman said, if you have enough energy you can force an electron and a proton to combine and form a Neutron. This Neutron is exactly the same as every other Neutron.

What actually happens is the electron combines with one of the Up quarks in the proton (Protons are made up of 3 quarks, Up, Up, and Down) and turns it into a down quark. (Neutrons are made up of 3 quarks also, Up, Down, Down) This turns the proton into a neutron.