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

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the relationship between protons, neutrons, and positrons, questioning the implications for the law of conservation of mass. It is clarified that a proton is not made up of a positron and a neutron, and the process of β+ decay involves a proton decaying into a neutron, positron, and neutrino, which requires energy. This energy is sourced from the rest of the nucleus, addressing concerns about mass discrepancies. The mass of the decay products is indeed greater than that of the original proton, but this does not violate conservation laws due to the energy input required for the decay. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities of particle interactions and conservation principles in nuclear physics.
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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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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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 

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