Baryon Decay

Baryon decay is a process where particles called baryons—such as protons and neutrons—transform into other, less massive particles over time. While protons are stable in everyday conditions, certain theories suggest they can eventually decay, transforming into lighter particles like leptons (e.g., electrons). This decay process is incredibly rare and has not yet been observed for protons. Baryon decay is significant because it relates to fundamental questions about the stability of matter and the evolution of the universe, and it is a key area of research in understanding physics beyond the Standard Model.