Weak Force (Noun)
Meaning
(physics) an interaction between elementary particles involving neutrinos or antineutrinos that is responsible for certain kinds of radioactive decay; mediated by intermediate vector bosons.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The weak force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, playing a crucial role in certain types of radioactive decay.
- Beta decay is a process in which the weak force causes a neutron in an atom's nucleus to transform into a proton, an electron, and a neutrino.
- The weak force is responsible for the decay of certain unstable particles, such as muons and pions, into more stable particles.
- In the Standard Model of particle physics, the weak force is mediated by the W and Z bosons, which are the intermediate vector bosons.
- The weak force is weaker than the electromagnetic force and the strong nuclear force, but it plays a vital role in certain types of nuclear reactions.