Question
Is the decay possible considering the appropriate conservation laws? State why or why not.
Final Answer
No, this decay isn't possible since the baryon number is not conserved.
Solution video
OpenStax College Physics for AP® Courses, Chapter 33, Problem 28 (Problems & Exercises)
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Video Transcript
This is College Physics Answers with Shaun Dychko. Considering the various conservation laws we have, is the decay of a neutron into a positron and electron possible? And the answer is no because if you look up in this table [33.2], the baryon number for a neutron is 1 whereas the baryon number for an electron is 0 and for a positron. So we have 1 on the left for baryon number and 0 in total on the right so the baryon number is not conserved therefore this reaction is not possible.