If protons and electrons become free from the bounding of atoms and left alone without any interaction then both live forever. On the other hand, a free neutron released from the nuclear bounding of atoms will decay into a proton, an electron, and its antineutrino in about 12 minutes. Although the electron is considered as an elementary particle both proton and neutron are composite particles made of elementary particles called quarks. Furthermore, by the principle of isotopic symmetry both proton and neutron are considered as identical twin among subatomic particles. Therefore, the billion dollar question is why free proton is stable but free neutron is not?
One of many superficial answers would be because a neutron is slightly heavier than a proton. But a more plausible answer is because there are a minimum mass configuration for free particles to exist independently in the spacetime continuum. Understanding this minimum mass configuration will indirectly provide a means of creating a successful cold fusion reaction.


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