Baryon decays

Baryon decays involve heavy particles like protons and neutrons transforming into lighter particles through the weak or strong nuclear forces. These decays happen spontaneously over time, governed by fundamental physical laws, and result in the baryon changing into different particles such as mesons or lighter baryons. Understanding decay processes helps scientists study fundamental forces, particle interactions, and the laws that govern matter at the smallest scales. For example, a neutron outside an atomic nucleus will eventually decay into a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino.