How electrons are converted protons and neutrons different
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
Electrons, being leptons (and therefore devoid of quarks), can’t be converted into baryons (which are composed of quarks). Similarly, baryons cannot become leptons.
Protons and neutrons can be interconverted, however.
A proton is converted to a neutron during positron emission (β⁺ decay). One of the proton’s up quarks (with a charge of +2/3) is converted to a down quark (with a charge of -1/3). The internal charges are changed from +2/3 + 2/3 + (-1/3)—summing to +1—to +2/3 + (-1/3) + (-1/3), summing to 0. A positron and an electron neutrino are emitted in the process.
A neutron is converted to a proton during β decay. One of the neutron’s down quarks (with a charge of -1/3) is converted to an up quark (with a charge of +2/3). The internal charges are changed from -1/3 + (-1/3) + 2/3—summing to 0— to +2/3 + 2/3 + (-1/3), summing to +1. An electron and an electron antineutrino are emitted in the process.
Answer:
Explanation:
Electrons, being leptons (and therefore devoid of quarks), can’t be converted into baryons (which are composed of quarks). Similarly, baryons cannot become leptons.