In the context of everyday matter as we know it, the most common baryons are protons and neutrons, which make up the atomic nuclei. However, it is theoretically possible to form matter using other baryons, such as hyperons or other exotic baryonic states.
Hyperons are particles that contain at least one strange quark in addition to up and down quarks. They are unstable and have relatively short lifetimes. This instability is primarily due to the weak nuclear force, which causes the decay of hyperons into more stable particles. The weak force allows for a change in the flavor of quarks, and in the case of hyperons, it facilitates their decay into lighter and more stable particles.
The strong nuclear force, which binds protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei, is strong enough to overcome the weak force and maintain stability. Protons and neutrons, made up of up and down quarks, are the lightest baryons and the most stable. They are the building blocks of atomic nuclei.
Other exotic baryonic states, such as pentaquarks or tetraquarks, have been proposed and studied in recent years. These are composed of combinations of quarks that differ from the usual three-quark structure of protons and neutrons. While their existence has been confirmed, they tend to be short-lived and quickly decay into more stable particles.
Overall, the stability of different baryons is determined by the interplay between the strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force, and the properties of the quarks involved. The specific combination of quarks and the resulting quantum numbers of a baryon play a significant role in its stability and lifetime.