Question

A lone neutron spontaneously decays into a proton plus an _______

Answer 1

Answer:

A lone neutron spontaneously decays into a proton plus an electron.

Explanation:

In an atom, nuclei contain protons and neutrons, which are the fundamental particles of an atom. Neutrons are stable and uncharged particles inside a nucleus.

For 15 times during its lifetime, a free neutron decays and breaks down into more smaller particles.This breakdown causes problems in nuclear reactors, as they start decaying and emit radiations of different wavelengths.

A neutron undergoes the decaying process to produce an electron, a proton, and energy.

The reaction of neutron decay:

  n0 → p+ + e− + νe