Robin, Possibly.
If the "p + e- --> n" reaction actually occurs (as per W-L), though, my guess is that electrons borrow just enough energy from their neighbors to climb the 782 keV electroweak barrier - just like the atom (or electrons) on the tip of an arrow borrows energy from the other atoms in the arrow to penetrate a target. The "point" atom would just bounce off the target if it only possessed its own kinetic energy and was uncoupled from the arrow body. I could be mistaken, but I think that e-p free space bare collisions over 782 keV will result in all kinds of subatomic particle shards and debris, but seldom in a single neutron. Cheers, Lou Pagnucco mixent wrote: >>Lightning strikes produce free neutrons, and were not sure how - >>Low energy neutrons not due to cosmic rays or any other previously >>known source. >>http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/03/nuclear-lightening/ > > Lightning is a high voltage particle accelerator, so how about > > p + e- (782 keV) -> n directly? > > (There are plenty of protons available from the water in raindrops.) > > Following on from there, suppose that the neutron then fuses with another > nucleus releasing about 8 MeV in energy. > > Result 0.8 MeV in 8 MeV out. Amplification factor ~10. > > [snip] > Regards, > > Robin van Spaandonk > > http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html > > >
