Abstract

Purpose – The decay of the neutron is well known from the perspective of empirical quantification, but the ontological explanations are lacking for why the neutron should be stable within the nucleus and unstable outside. A theory is developed to explain the reasons for decay of the free neutron and stability of the bonded neutron. Method – The Cordus theory, a type of non-local hidden-variable (NLHV) design, provided the mathematical formalism of the principles for manipulating discrete forces and transforming one type of particule into another. This was used to determine the structures of the W and Z bosons, and the causes of neutron decay within this framework. Findings - The stability of the neutron inside the nucleus arises from the formation of a complementary bound state of discrete forces with the proton. The neutron is an intermediary between the protons, as the discrete forces of the protons are otherwise incompatible. This bond also gives a full complement of discrete forces to the neutron, hence its stability within the nucleus. The instability of the free neutron arises because its own discrete field structures are incomplete. Consequently it is vulnerable to external perturbation. The theory predicts the free neutron has two separate decay paths, which are mixed together in the β- process, the first determined by the local density of the fabric, and the second by the number of neutrinos encountered. The exponential life is recovered. The internal structures of the W bosons are determined. Implications – The W bosons are by-products from the weak decay process, and do not cause the decay. The weak decay is shown to be in the same class of phenomenon as annihilation, and is not a fundamental interaction. Originality – A novel theory has been constructed for the decay process, using a NLHV mechanics that is deeper than quantum theory. This new theory explains the stability-instability of the neutron and is consistent with the new theory for the stability of the nuclides.

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