Understanding Electron Capture and Beta Decay: Is a Quark Conversion Involved?

[AbsoluteZer0]

Hi,

From what I understand, Electron Capture is when a proton absorbs an electron, converts into a neutron and releases a neutrino (p + e- = n + v.)

I also understand that a proton is composed of two up quarks and a down quark and a neutron is composed of two down quarks and an up quark. Here is my question: when the proton absorbs the electron, is one of the up quarks converted into a down quark? If so, what's the reason behind this?

Thanks,

 

[AdrianTheRock]

Yes, that's how it works. The weak force converts the electron into the neutrino, giving off a virtual W^-, and the latter is absorbed by an up quark turning it into an down.

Notice how the total electric charge is conserved.