Fundamental Interaction (Noun)
Meaning
(physics) the transfer of energy between elementary particles or between an elementary particle and a field or between fields; mediated by gauge bosons.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The fundamental interactions in physics are the strong interaction, the weak interaction, the electromagnetic interaction, and the gravitational interaction.
- In the Standard Model of particle physics, the fundamental interactions are mediated by gauge bosons, which are the quanta of the fundamental fields.
- The electromagnetic interaction is a fundamental interaction that acts between charged particles, such as electrons and protons, and is mediated by photons.
- The weak interaction is a fundamental interaction that is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay and is mediated by the W and Z bosons.
- The strong interaction is a fundamental interaction that holds quarks together inside protons and neutrons and is mediated by gluons.