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Chemistry

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    $\begingroup$ Free protons are extremely if not indefinitely stable to nuclear decay, with a half-life of at least about $10^{35}$ years. An interesting way to thinking about the reactivity of a bare proton is to calculate its charge density and compare with other monocations, such as $\ce{Li+}$. This will make it clear why free protons will abstract electrons from just about anything. $\endgroup$
    – Nicolau Saker Neto
    Commented Jun 7, 2015 at 14:22
  • $\begingroup$ Nicolau, thank you for your comment, and I do prefer your way of looking at the problem, hence I have edited and added it to my answer. hope you don't mind $\endgroup$
    – getafix
    Commented Jun 7, 2015 at 14:26
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    $\begingroup$ Sure, no problem at all. I actually wound up discussing it a long time ago, in this answer. $\endgroup$
    – Nicolau Saker Neto
    Commented Jun 7, 2015 at 14:37