Exploring the Strong Nuclear Force

[icvotria]

Thank goodness...

...PF has taught me how to sniff out a crackpot. I was wondering about the strong nuclear force and how it worked and stuff and I thought I should do some research before I posted another incredibly open-ended question here so I googled "strong nuclear force explained" and this is the only thing that came up: www.iw.net/~a_plutonium/File026.html[/URL]. This was my favourite part [QUOTE]every neutron has the potential of radioactively decaying into a hydrogen atom...the neutron, in any particular atom when it radioactively decays emits 1 proton, 1 electron, and perhaps 1 neutrino.[/QUOTE] I love that perhaps! :smile:

 

[chroot]

The decay of the neutron is called "beta decay," and it's products are indeed a proton, an electron, and an electron anti-neutrino. You're right though, there's no "perhaps" about it -- it's always there.

- Warren

 

[Astronuc]

Not exactly.

A free neutron will decay into a proton, electron (beta particle) and electron-associated anti-neutrino. The statement about emitted is awkward.

A neutron inside an atomic nucleus is usually stable, unless there is an excess of neutrons. If beta-decay does occur, the neutron decays to a proton, but it does not produce a hydrogen atom. The charge on the nucleus will increase by 1.

 

[icvotria]

In the article he's trying to say that the hydrogen atom is the most elementary of all particles and that's his example. It cracked me up. It's like 'beta decay = 1 elecron + 1 proton = Hydrogen oh yeah, and that other thing, but let's forget about that, it's not important and it ruins my theory'

 

[chroot]

icvotria,

Now -that's- crackpottery.

- Warren