Question

The following hypothetical reaction shows a neutron (n) decaying into a proton (p+), an electron (e−), and an uncharged particle called an antineutrino:

At first there is no charge, but then charge seems to be “created.” Does this reaction violate the law of charge conservation? Explain.

Answer 1

The given reaction is,

n → p+ + e- + υ̅

 

Here, n is neutron, p+ is proton, e- is electron and υ̅ is antineutrino.

 

The electric charge of the neutron, before the decay, is zero. After the decay, the total electric charge of all products is also zero. The antineutrino is an uncharged particle and the proton and electron carry charges of +e and –e respectively. So, before the decay and after the decay, the net charge is the same.

 

Hence, the reaction does not violate the law of conservation of charge.

The reaction does not violate the law of conservation of charge.