Can a neutron turn into a proton without the presence of an electron?
Yes, a neutron can turn into a proton through a process called beta decay. In this process, a neutron converts into a proton while emitting a beta particle (an electron) and an antineutrino. However, this decay inherently involves the emission of an electron; without an electron (or a similar particle), the transformation wouldn't occur. The presence of an electron isn't necessary as a participant in the decay process, but one is produced as a result of the decay