Neutron Decays to Proton (IMAGE) DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory Caption In this illustration, the grid in the background represents the computational lattice that theoretical physicists used to calculate a particle property known as nucleon axial coupling. This property determines how a W boson (white wavy line) interacts with one of the quarks in a neutron (large transparent sphere in foreground), emitting an electron (large arrow) and antineutrino (dotted arrow) in a process called beta decay. This process transforms the neutron into a proton (distant transparent sphere). Credit Credit: Evan Berkowitz/ Jülich Research Center, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Usage Restrictions OK for use with stories about this research, with credit. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.